SELECTIONS # <44 » % 



THE EPISTLES 



OF 

GEORGE FOX. 



By SAMUEL T U K E. 



Secont) BJition, tottf) auctions. 



LONDON: 

EDWARD MARSH, 8 4, HOUNDSDITCH. 



1818. 



rum uamARYj 
•rcwrauM 

WASHINGTON I 



fell 
-ft 



LONDON' 
RICHARD BARRETT, PRTNTEE, 
13, MARK LANK. 



INTRODUCTION, 



The volume of Epistles from which the present selection 
^ is made, was published in folio, in the year 1698. It is 
now extremely scarce. The letters which it contains 
were w r ritten, from about the year 1648 to 1690. They 
embrace a period of full forty years ; and, being com- 
posed at such different times, and on sueh various occasions, 
they serve materially to illustrate the early history of our 
Society, and the real character and views of the chief in- 
strument of its formation. This character and these views 
are, in the present day of ease, well worthy of our study. 

George Fox had received very little scholastic instruc- 
tion, but he possessed a mind of no ordinary powers, 
cultivated too, in a particular direction, in a very remark- 
able manner. The true knowledge of Grod, not as an 
intellectual speculation, but as that which gives rest to 
the awakened conscience was the great object of his 
longing search from youth to manhood ; and in this 
search his almost constant companion w T as the Bible. 
There he conversed with Patriarchs and Prophets, with 
the Lord Jesus and his Apostles, till he became most inti- 
mately imbued with the contents of the Holy Scriptures. 
W But, though every word of Inspiration was precious to 
him, his great desire was to know the mind of the Spirit, 
— the true harmony of the various parts of the divine 
records. He conversed extensively with esteemed religi- 
ous teachers of various classes, but he found they were no 

a 2 



iv 



INTRODUCTION 



physicians in his case. More and more, he was brought 
with child-like submissiveness to look to Christ as his 
only helper ; and thus, after a course of deep spiritual 
discipline, his eye was opened more fully to see in the 
light of the Holy Spirit, the character of his Saviour , 
and to rejoice in Him exceedingly. 

Having partaken largely of the spiritual baptism of his 
Lord, many divine truths were opened upon his mind 
with great clearness. Unshackled from human ties, and 
from all the religious systems of men, the great elements 
and characteristics of the Christian dispensation, in its 
native simplicity and purity rose gradually before him. 
As he travelled onward in his experience, he found that 
what was from time to time unfolded to his mind was 
in the fullest harmony with Holy Writ, Many things 
in the so-called religious world now appeared to him in a 
new light, and grieved in spirit w T ith its multiplied cor- 
ruptions, he felt himself required by a divine impulse to 
proclaim to others the Truth which he had found to the 
blessedness of his own soul. His great mission, was not 
to found a sect, but to speak truth to all, and to call all 
out of every untruth to the knowledge for themselves, of 
Him, who is the Truth. The acknowledgment of Christ 
with the lip as a divine person, and the talking about 
faith in Him, and of his various offices were prevalent 
enough in many circles ; but the true belief in Him with 
the heart unto righteousness — the acceptance of Him as 
the only Lord of the soul, and dependence upon Him for 
continual guidance by his Spirit — these were things 
which appeared to George Fox sadly deficient in his day. 

As the work of the Holy Spirit on the soul of 



INTRODUCTION. 



V 



man, is the great means by which it is stimulate^ 
and enabled to resist the world, the flesh, and the 
devil, so had all these powers combined to stultify its 
authority and to give the name of Christianity to the 
dogmas or appointments of men, or too much to limit 
divine power to the agency of the inspired letter which 
the wisdom of man w r as so able to bend to its own pur- 
poses, but which his unassisted wisdom was wholly un- 
able truly to unfold. He saw that the corruptions of 
the Christian Church had always been indicated by the 
increase of dependence upon man, in the w T ork of religion 
— 44 the priests of old time ruled by their means, and the 
people loved to have it so." These w r ords appeared to 
him descriptive of a great human tendency, forming part 
of those lusts of the flesh, against which the Holy Spirit 
ever warreth, and he spake much of that divine light 
given to man, by which the inward working of these 
lusts was manifested, and of that inward warfare with the 
soul's enemies, in which every one must be a soldier for 
himself, under Christ his Captain, — denouncing all those 
arts which he saw to be so prevalent, by which man was 
persuaded that he could gain the crown, without enlisting 
under the banner of the cross. Man's alienation by nature 
from God, and his reluctance to come to Him in truth, 
notwithstanding the drawings of his love, and the free 
offers of his mercy in Christ, the propitiation for the sins 
of the world, were the basis of his appeals. He was 
eminently a preacher of the free grace of God to all who 
repent, and w T ho, in subjection to his Spirit, truly come 
unto Christ. The experimental work of the Spirit in 
bringing the soul in living faith to Christ as its Lord and 



INTRODUCTION. 



Saviour, was indeed the great theme of his ministry ; it 
was that which he felt himself called to urge upon all, 
that the foundation might be sound, and the superstruc- 
ture solid. 

We do not hesitate then to say, that, however ignorant 
George Fox might be of many things which rank high in 
the worldly scale, he was a scribe well instructed, and that 
he was eminently qualified to know of Christ's doctrine, by 
an exemplary obedience and devotion to his will, and by 
an humble reliance upon his all-sufficient aid. " He had,"" 
says William Penn, "an extraordinary gift in opening 
the Scriptures. He would go to the marrow of things, and 
show the mind, harmony, and fulfilling of them, with 
much plainness, and great comfort and edification.'" 

The writings of such a man are an object of interest to 
the serious professor of religion of any name ; but they 
have a peculiar and strong claim to attention from the 
members of that Society, which he was instrumental in 
forming. The Epistles now presented to the reader ex- 
hibit this good man in one uniform character, that of a 
Christian Apostle, ever labouring to promote " glory to 
God in the highest— peace on earth — and good will to 
man." With what zeal he watched over every part of 
that flock of which he was more peculiarly a shepherd, 
will appear, from these pastoral letters. But his Christian 
love and zeal were not confined by any sectarian boun- 
daries ; they extended to every part of the human family: 
and many of the letters evince a great desire for the ex- 
tension of Christ's kingdom in the heathen world. He 
had himself been in the West Indies and North America, 



INTRODUCTION, 



vii 



in both which countries the instruction of the African 
slaves in the great truths of the Gospel, and the im- 
provement of their condition, deeply interested him. 

The state of the Indians also claimed much of his 
attention. Looking upon the Gospel of Christ as adapted 
to the spiritual wants of man universally, his letters to 
his friends in America show how desirous he was that 
the Indians should be instructed in the truths of Chris- 
tianity. The want of civilization does not appear to have 
occurred to him as an objection to the instruction of the 
Indians, in " thai way wherein the wayfaring man though 
<t fool need not err? u All Friends everywhere," says 
he, 44 all that have Indians or Blacks, are to preach the 
Gospel to them and other servants, if they be true Chris- 
tians ; for the Gospel was to be preached to every crea- 
ture. You must instruct and teach your Indians and 
negroes and all others, that Christ by the grace of God 
tasted death for every man, and gave himself a ransom 
for all men to be testified in due time ; and is the propi- 
tiation for the sins of the whole world." 

The same enlarged views are evinced in his letters to 
the friends who, from being engaged in a seafaring life, 
had become captives on the ooast of Africa. He wishes 
them to acquire the language of the Turks, that they 
might be able to communicate to them the glad tidings 
of salvation, by speaking, and by translating books into 
their language. The horrors even of Algerine slavery 
appear to have been lessened in his view, by the hope 
that it might be the means of good to the captors. It 
seems that the captives were allowed to meet together for 
the purpose of divine worship. George Fox exhorts 



Vlll 



INTRODUCTION, 



them to the firm support of their Christian testimony, 
and in one letter observes : " I think you have more 
liberty to meet there than we have here, for they keep us 
out of our meetings, and cast us into prison, and spoil 
our goods." 

The religious Society of Friends was, at that time, a 
laborious, and in England, a very suffering body : many 
of the letters in the present collection are addressed to 
friends under persecution. These letters are remarkable 
for their high tone of Christian feeling. The sympathy 
of the writer towards the sufferers is, if possible, ex- 
ceeded by his meekness towards the oppressors ; and 
every feeling is subordinate to that of spreading the know- 
ledge of the Truth, in the service of which he counted 
not his life dear. After urging upon some of his suffer- 
ing friends the steady support of their Christian prin- 
ciples, he says : " I desire, however, that you walk 
wisely, gently, lovingly, meekly, and soberly to the 
magistrates and to all people, that they may have no 
occasion in any thing against you ; for the good must 
overcome the bad, as the apostle says, ' Overcome evil 
with good;' and dwell in that love that can bear all 
things, and endure all things/' — p. 276. 

The letters from which this Selection is made, were 
originally published with a Preface by George White- 
head, one of the earliest and most esteemed coadjutors of 
the writer. In this preface he notices some misrepre- 
sentation of his opinions, and gives some explanations of 
terms frequently used by George Fox, which claim a 
place in this Introduction. 

" I am concerned," says he, " to recommend the 



INTRODUCTION. 



ix 



serious reading and perusal of the ensuing collection, 
unto all who sincerely desire the promotion of Christ's 
kingdom, and prosperity of his Church, in true love, 
union, and order, in and by Christ Jesus himself, the 
Head and Foundation thereof. 

" In many of the ensuing Epistles, he [G. Fox] often 
mentions the Seed, the Life, the Power of God, and the 
like ; whereby he intends no other than what the Holy 
Scriptures testify of Christ ; which, we know, he truly 
loved and esteemed, and was often conversant in reading 
of them, and had an excellent memory and spiritual 
sense thereof given him of the Lord. By the pure holy 
Seed, he meant and declared Christ, the promised Seed ; 
wherein all the promises of God are yea and amen. 
And as Christ is the Word of Life, the Word of Faith, 
He is that immortal and incorruptible Seed, of which all 
true and spiritual believers and children of the light are 
begotten to God, and born again ; and which Seed, or 
Word of eternal life, abideth in him that is born of God, 
and he sinneth not because thereof. — 1 John iii. 

" This our deceased friend and servant of Jesus Christ 
truly testified of Him in all respects, both as come in 
the flesh and in the spirit, both as Christ was and is our 
only Mediator and Advocate, and as He was and is God 
over all, blessed for ever ; w T hom he so dearly loved and 
honoured, that he often offered up his life, and deeply 
suffered for Him ; and that in dear and constant love 
to his seed, that a holy generation might be raised, 
strengthened, and increased in the earth among the chil- 
dren of men. And his knowledge and ministry of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, being after the Spirit in life and 

a 3 



X 



INTRODUCTION. 



power, did no ways imply any lessening of the dignity or 
glory of Christ, nor any defect of faith or love to Christ, 
as He came and suffered in the flesh for mankind ; as 
some adversaries have injuriously misrepresented and 
aspersed him ; for he highly esteemed Christ's sufferings, 
death, resurrection, and glory ; and powerfully testified 
of the virtue, power, blessed and spiritual design, fruit, 
and effects thereof, as revealed and witnessed by his 
Holy Spirit." 

44 Christ Jesus being our spiritual Rock, Foundation, 
and Head, He is truly precious to us and all true be- 
lievers, in all states and conditions, both of his humilia- 
tion, glory, and dominion ; his great grace and goodness 
appearing in those precious ministerial gifts given by Him 
(when he ascended up on high) for his ministry and 
church. 

44 And it is very observable, that though, to express 
Christ's lowly condition and appearance in the world, 
He is sometimes in Holy Scripture termed the Seed, his 
name is also 4 called, Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty 
God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace ; 
upon whose shoulders the government is laid ; and of 
the increase of his government and peace there shall be 
no end.'- — Isaiah ix. And it is most suitable to Christ's 
low, humble, and suffering condition, to make use of such 
instruments as are most like Himself in humility and 
lowliness of mind, although they be but low and mean in 
the world's eye and esteem. God is pleased to make 
choice of low 7 , mean, and weak things, and of instruments 
contemptible in the eyes of the high and lofty ones of 
this world, to confound the wisdom of the world, accord- 



INTRODUCTION. 



xi 



ing to 1 Cor. i. He chose poor shepherds to divulge that 
great evangelical truth of Christ's birth ; and certain 
women to preach that Gospel truth of his resurrection, 
{Luke ii and xxiv.) and both from angelical testimony, 
as well as from their sight of Christ himself. Truth 
must not be rejected because of such instruments which 
God in his wisdom is pleased to employ in his work ; 
nor the day of small things despised : from small begin- 
nings of good matters, great things, glorious attainments 
and perfections, do spring. Glory, honour, and dominion, 
to our most gracious God, and to the Lamb on his 
throne, for ever and ever." 

These extracts from G. Whitehead's preface may 
serve as a sufficient illustration of G. Fox's sentiments 
on some points of Christian doctrine, in regard to which 
his soundness was so frequently* impugned by his ene- 
mies, as the most ready mode of depreciating him in 
general esteem. It had been found in earlier times much 
easier to call a reformer a Gnostic, or a Manichee, than 
to dispute his doctrine or condemn his life ; and such is 
the effect of bold assertion, that, though so often con- 
tradicted and disproved, the charge of denying the 
Divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and of 
undervaluing his various offices, as our Mediator, Inter- 
cessor, and Redeemer, has yet hardly lost its influence on 
our Christian brethren of other Societies. 

Indeed, we must not be surprised, if, in the steady 
maintenance of the principles which are at the root of 
our separation from other religious communities, we are 
to a considerable extent misunderstood, or even maligned. 



XII 



INTRODUCTION 



A people holding so decidedly the spiritual character of 
Christianity, and rejecting those outward rites which 
most deem either important or essential (though we fully 
maintain the truths which those rites profess to embody) 
must be obnoxious to much undeserved reproach. To 
some it appears that we are wilfully blind and unworthy 
of the name of Christian ; whilst others judge us more 
gently and charitably, though very imperfectly estimating 
the real matter of our testimony. We believe, however, 
there are those among our Christian brethren of other 
communities, and that the number is increasing, who do 
to a considerable extent appreciate the grounds of our 
separation, and acknowledge the accordance of many of 
our views with the purest state of the Christian church. 

The adherence to a confession of faith in very nearly 
the words of Scripture, and the abandonment of certain 
terms of scholastic theology which had become as a sort 
of shibboleth of orthodoxy, may probably have led persons 
attached to those expressions, to suspect a much greater 
deviation from their own sentiments than actually existed. 
It may be said of the early Friends, as Erasmus observes 
of the primitive Christians, that tliey were afraid to pro- 
nounce of God any tiling hut what was plainly expressed in 
the Sacred Writings ; and it is worthy of observation, in 
the history of the Church, how creeds became enlarged, 
and became less and less scriptural, as Christian piety 
decayed, and the simplicity of the faith was corrupted. 

In conclusion I would observe, that the desire to give 
a full and fair view of the author's opinions as expressed 
in his letters, may have led in some instances to an un- 



INTRODUCTION. 



xiii 



necessary repetition ; but as the frequent recurrence of 
particular sentiments marks the high estimation which 
they hold in the writer's mind, it seemed needful for the 
purpose of exhibiting his views fairly, to give, to a con- 
siderable extent, the reiterations which were found in the 
original work. Whilst anxious to present, in the follow- 
ing extracts, a fair specimen of the Epistles of George 
Fox, I have not thought it a departure from this prin- 
ciple to make a few alterations in the text, by the omis- 
sion and occasional transposition of words in a sentence, 
where it did not in any degree alter the sense ; by cor- 
recting some grammatical inaccuracies ; and occasionally, 
by the alteration of an antiquated word. 



CONTENTS. 



Many of the Epistles are of so general a nature, that it was 
difficult to give a description of each sufficiently short for this place. 
A table is therefore added of some of the principal subjects treated of 
in the letters, which, it is hoped, though far from so full as it might 
have been, will considerably assist in case of reference. 



Ko. Anno. Page. 

1. Concerning the fast spreading of Truth . 1 

2. Counsel on several points _. . . 1650 6 
4. Ditto ditto . . .1651 7 
6. On the Light .... 1652 £ 
8. The Flesh and the Spirit . . . — 9 

10. To Friends to stand still in trouble, and see the 

strength of the Lord . . — 9 

15. To the Church of God in Lancashire . — 10 

16. General counsel . . . . — 12 
~¥7. Exhortation to mind the Light . . =13 
24. To Friends everywhere , . . . 1653 14 

27. Ditto ditto , , . — 17 

28. Against Drunkenness . . , . — 18 
30. To a Suffering Friend ... — ib. 

35. To Friends in the Ministry . . . — ib. 

36. Take your heavenly censers . . , —19 

37. To Friends in Cumberland . . . — 20 

38. To those who live in sin . . —21 
^41. To those who profess the Light . . . - — 22 

43. Counsel on several points . . . — 23 
45. Concerning the heirs of the kingdom of God, and 

how Christ was. and his Saints are tempted . — 24 
47. To Friends in Cumberland, Bishoprick, and 

Northumberland . . . . — 28 



xvi 



CONTENTS. 



ANNO. P^GE. 



48. To Friends concerning judging . . 1653 29 

51. ■ — the Cross of Christ, and the 

Power of God . . . . =31 

56. To call the mind out of the creatures . . — 32 

64, 65. To Friends in the Ministry . . 1654 34 

75. Counsel . . . . . . — 34 

79. To all Friends to abide in their callings . ■ — 35 

SO. To seek the kingdom of God first . . — 38 

82. Against slothfulness . . . 1655 39 

83. General counsel . . . . — 41 
92. To those who are imprisoned for the Truth . — 41 
97. To a Friend . . . . . — 42 

102. Not to mind the world's honour . . — 43 

103. To keep to the witness of God . . . — 43 

104. General counsel , . . . ==44 
yiOo. Concerning the light . . . . — 45 

109. To keep in patience and out of judging . 1656 46 

113. To a Friend in the Ministry . . . — 48 

114, 115. Exhortation to preach the Gospel to every 

creature . . . . . — ib* 

116. Concerning Judging in Meetings . . — 49 

120. Exhortation in families . . . =50 

121. To Friends, to take care of such as suffer for 

owning the Truth . . . — ib. 

123. Of the first and second Adam . , . — 51 

127. Not to delight in the world . . — 52 

128. To all Friends, to keep in the power of God, out 

of the cares of the world . . . — 53 

131. General counsel . . . . — ib. 

137. To cover rather than discover others weaknesses 1657 56 

138. To the prisoners for the Lord Jesus Christ . — ib. 
141. To Friends to gather up their sufferings, and 

lay them before the Judges . . . — 57 
148. An Exhortation to fervent Prayer and stedfast 
Faith, in the time of the greatest Troubles 

and Exercises . , , . — 59 



CONTENTS. 



xvii 



No. Anno. Page 

151. Of the preaching of Christ . . . 1657 Gl 

153. To Friends beyond Sea, that have Blacks and 

Indian Slaves . . . . — 63 

161, 162. Against fleshly lusts and of righteous judg- 
ment . . . . . 1658 64 

166. General counsel . . . . . — ib. 

167. To sing, pray, give thanks, praise, and fast, in 

the Spirit . . . . . — 65 

171. Of Persecution 1659 66 

175. To Friends to serve one another in love in 

outward things . . . . — 67 
181. To send books and papers, and spread the Truth 

abroad . . . . . — 68 

187. To dwell in the love of God together . — 69 

189. To Friends in New England and Virginia . — 70 

194. To those who have chosen the better part . 1660 71 

196. To Friends in Jamaica and elsewhere . . — 72 
200. The line of Righteousness and Justice stretched 

forth over all Merchants, &c. . . 1661 73 

208. To the Prisoners for Truth's sake . . — 79 
216. To Friends in New England, and the Islands 

beyond Sea . . . 1662 80 
222. A general Epistle — Of the true worship of God, 

<fcc. , . . . . — 83 

239. Ditto ditto —Of the power of Faith . 1664 88 

240. Of outward matters in Religion . . — 92 
245. To take heed of Backsliding . . . 1666 94 

249. A General Epistle to Friends — Of the word of 

God 1667 96 

Concerning the Worship of God . . — 101 

250. A Warning to all to keep out of the vain 

Fashions of the World, which lead them 

below the Serious Life, &c. . . — 105 

251. Several important advices . . . — 110 

252. To Friends in the Ministry, scattered abroad 

in Virginia, Maryland, New England, Barba- 

does, and other Plantations beyond the Sea , — ib. 



xviii 



CONTEXTS. 



2*o. Anno. Pa&e, 

.263. An Exhortation to keep to the ancient Prin- 
ciples of Truth . . . 1668 117 

264. Extracts from other of G-. Fox's Epistles,- both of 
former and latter dates, relating to matter 
recommended by him to be taken notice of 

by the Quarterly and other Meetings . 1669 120 

268. Not to be over thoughtful of the things of this 

World . . . . . — 130 

275. The universal call . . . —132 

277. Of the Duties of Masters and Parents to ser- 
vants, apprentices, and children . . — 136 

283. To Friends at Bristol in time of Suffering . 1670 139 

291. To all Women's Meetings . . . 1672 140 

292. To Friends in New England, Virginia, and Bar- 

badoes ..... — 143 

293. To Friends in Barbadoes . . . — 145 
299. To Friends in Jamaica . . . 1673 147 
302. Of Public Feasts . . . . — 148 
304. To Friends in Virginia . . . — 150 
308. The necessity of order and government in the 

Church, with a reference to his own labours 1674 151 

310. In every thing give thanks . . . — 154 

315. To Friends at Barbadoes . . . 1675 155 

319. To Friends in Nevis, and the Caribbee Islands — 156 

320. An Epistle relative to the station of Women in 

the Church ..... 1676 163 

333. To Friends in Barbadoes . . . —186 

336. To Friends at Dantzic . . . — 187 

340. To Friends in New Jersey in America . — 189 

342. Exhortation to walk in Faith . . . — 190 

343. Not to strive about Men . . . — 193 
347. Concerning subjection of the spirits of the 

Apostles one to another, in the unity of the 

Spirit of Christ . . . . — 198 

353. General counsel .... 1678 201 

354. Of the true Head of the body . . . — 204 



CONTENTS. 



XIX 



Xo. Anno. Page- 

355. To Friends in America, concerning their Negroes 

and Indians 1679 205 

358. The power of the Truth ... — 209 

360. Of the Christian training of Children . . — 210 

362. Concerning true Liberty . . • — 212 

364. To Friends in America . . . . 1680 215 

366. A Letter to the Captives who meet together to 

worship God in Algiers . . 1682 21? 

367. To Friends in Burlington, West Jersey . 1681 221 

368. To Suffering Friends at Horsham in Sussex — 224 

369. To the Flock of Christ Jesus every where, to be 

read in their Assemblies . . . — 225 

370. To Suffering Friends in Leicester . . — 227 

373. To Friends in Jamaica ... — 229 

374. To Friends in Holland . . . . 1682 231 
376. To Friends in New Jersey and Pennsylvania — 233 
377 To Friends that are Prisoners in York . . — 234 

379. An Epistle to all Planters, and such as are trans- 

porting themselves into foreign Plantations 

in America .... — 236 

380. To all Christians to keep to yea, yea, and nay, 

nay, and to fulfil their word and promises — 237 

381. An Epistle commended to the Consciences of all 

concerned .... — 240 

382. An Epistle to the Household of Faith . . — 242 

383. To the Quarterly Meeting at York . . 1683 251 

384. To the Six Weeks Meeting in Barbadoes . — 254 

386. To Friends of the Monthly Meeting of Charles- 

town in Carolina . . . . — 255 

387. To the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in 

England, (fee. . . . . . — 257 

388. To Friends that are Captives at Algiers . — 258 

389. To all the Household of Faith . . . — 262 

390. An Epistle to all Friends every where . — 266 

391. To the Meeting of Friends in Truth, that are 

Captives in Algiers . . . 1684 270 



XX 



CONTENTS. 



No. 
393. 
396. 
398. 



399. 
401. 
403 
404. 
405. 

406. 
407. 
410. 
412. 
414. 
417. 
418. 
419. 
420, 



To Friends in Holland. 

To the Suffering Friends at Dantzic 

An Epistle to all the prisoners and sufferers 
for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and 
his worship .... 

Concerning the pure and undefiled Religion 

The comfort of patience under sufferings 

To Friends in Holland, (ire. 

To Friends in Pennsylvania 

To Friends of the Ministry in Pennsylvania and 
New Jersey .... 

To Friends in Wales 

To Friends in Dantzic 

An Epistle to them that are learned in Christ 
To Friends in West Jersey and Pennsylvania 
To be stedfast in persecution 
The power of Love 

To the Six Weeks Meeting in London 

Respecting Marriage Feasts 

To Friends Captives at Macqueness 



Anno. Page. 
1684 273 
1684 274 



— 277 

1685 282 

— 284 

— 288 

— 289 

— 290 

— 292 

— 294 

1686 295 

1687 300 

1688 301 

1689 302 

1690 ib. 

— 303 

— 304 



TABLE OF PRINCIPAL SUBJECTS, 



History or the Society. Regulations and Discipline 

Origin and Progress, p. 1. Character of, pp. 53, 54, 106. 

State of, pp. 155, 232, 256, 288, 290, 299= 

Account of Sufferings, 57-59, 256, 

Discqyline, and Meetings for, pp. 107, 109, 119-130 5 153, 153, 186, 
193, 229, 262, 263, 302. 

Care of the Poor, pp. 50, 55, 123, 125, 233. 

Women s Meetings, pp. 127, 140, 146, 153, 166, 169, 186, 230, 

Subjection to the Church, p. 198-201, 

Offices and Character of Christ. 

Pages 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 26, 34, 45, 57, 59, 69, 81, 96, 103, 104, 
113, 145, 146, 150, 154, 188, 191, 202, 203, 206, 210, 214, 
225, 228, 260, 268, 270, 275, 283, 288, 

Of the Holy Spirit. 

Pages 12, 14, 18, 20, 21, 23, 32, 36, 45, 57, 81, 96-100, 104, 133, 
134, 201, 206, 217, 258,282. 

Of the Fall and Redemption of Man 
Pages 52, 86, 131, 193, 299 

Of Faith. 
Pages 88-90, 190, 242, 

Of Temptation, 
Pages 9, 12, 24, 26, 29. 



xxii 



TABLE OF SUBJECTS. 



The incompatibility of Sin with the true knowledge 
of God and Christ. 

Pages 18. 21, 23, 26, 94, 192, 197, 202, 282. 

Of Freedom from Actual Sin. 
Pages 85, 86, 202. 

Of Worship, Public and Private. 
Pages 39, 45, 83, 101-104, 108, 115, 146, 147, 273. 

Of Prayer and other Religious Exercises. 
Pages 19, 59, 65, 84, 154. 

Of Devotedness to God. 
Pages 54, 95, 110, 133, 140, 143, 153, 186, 201, 219, 225, 242. 

Of Loye and Unity, and the Settlement of Differences 

Pages 23, 31, 34, 37, 47, 53, 54, 67, 69, 112, 120, 156, 186, 189, 
193, 211, 215, 217, 229, 233, 251, 252, 269, 303. 

Of Justice and Truth. 
Pages 53, 55, 74, 75, 107, 117, 231, 237, 238, 240, 241, 282, 

Of Humility and Meekness. 
Pages 14, 20, 34, 37, 43, 216, 226, 254, 271. 

Of Judging. 
Pages 28, 29, 46, 49, 164. 

Of Simplicity. 
Pages 43, 47, 52, 105, 118, 265. 

Of Religious Instruction, and the Training of Children. 
Pages 50, 126, 136-139, 146, 207, 210. 



TABLE OF SUBJECTS. 



XX111 



Of the Spreading of the Truth at Home and Abroad. 

Pages 68-70, 82, 135, 143, 150, 163, 188, 205, 217, 231, 236, 255, 
257, 261, 274, 290, 300, 305. 

Of the Duties of Masters and Servants. 
Pages 37, 40, 41, 50, 136, 205. 

Of the conduct towards Negroes and Indians. 
Pages 63, 111, 146, 151, 189, 205, 206, 236, 300, 

Industry. 
Page 39. 

Duty to and of Rulers. 
Pages 156, 221 232. 

Of Antichrist, and the Corruption of the Christian 
Church. 

Pages 67, 83, 90, 92-94, 99, 113, 151. 
Treatment of offenders, pp. 120, 123, 193, 254. 

Of Covetousness and Worldly Anxiety. 
Pages 38, 53, 54, 64, 95, 105, 130, 190, 282. 

Of Persecution and its Effects. 
Pages 66, 80. , 

Of Feasting. 
Pages 148, 149, 241, 242, 303. 

Of the Station of Women in the Church. 
Pages 140-142, 147, 163-186, 264 



To Friends in the Ministry, and of Ministry. 
Pages 18, 19, 22, 34, 40, 48, 49, 55, 110, 130, 132, 135, 15], 181. 



xxiv 



TABLE OF SUBJECTS. 



To Friends under Persecution, and of Suffering 
for Christ. 

Pages 18, 25, 54, 56, 57, 59, 70, 79, 80, 139, 153, 186, 187, 214, 
217, 219, 224, 225, 227, 234, 269, 271, 274, 285. 

To the Captives in Africa. 
Pages 217, 258, 270, 304. 

Of False Brethren. 
Pag 266. 



SELECTIONS 

FROM 

THE EPISTLES AND TESTIMONIES 

OF 

GEORGE FOX, 



We cannot commence these Selections better than by a copious 
extract from the seeond epistle, which, notwithstanding the 
quaintness of its style, contains a curious and rather striking sum- 
mary of the history of the Society, from its commencement, to 
the year 1676. It is stated to be 

Concerning the first spreading of the Truth, and hoiv that 
many were imprisoned, §c. 

The Truth sprang up first ( to us, as to be a people to 
the Lord) in Leicestershire in 1644, and in Warwick- 
shire in 1645, and in Nottinghamshire in 1646, and in 
Derbyshire in 1647, and in the adjacent counties in 
1648, 1649, and 1650, and in Yorkshire in 1651, and 
in Lancashire and Westmoreland in 1652, and in Cum- 
berland, and Bishoprick, and Northumberland, in 1653, 
and in London and most parts of the nation of England, 
and Scotland, and Ireland, in 1654, &c. 

And in 1655 many went beyond seas, where Truth 
also sprang up. 

And in 1656 Truth brake forth in America, and many 
other places. 



2 



EPISTLES, fcc. OF 



And the Truth stood all the cruelties and sufferings 
that were inflicted upon Friends by the Long Parliament, 
(to the spoiling of goods, imprisonment, and death, and 
over all the reproaches, lies, and slanders.) and then by 
Protector, and all the acts that 0. Protector made 
and his parliaments, and his son Richard after him, and 
the Committee of Safety. And after, it withstood and 
lasted out all the acts and proclamations since 1660. that 
the king came in. And still the Lord's Truth is over 
all. and his Seed reigns, and his Truth exceedingly 
spreads unto this year, 1676. 

And Friends never feared their acts, nor prisons, nor 
gaols, nor houses of correction, nor banishments, nor 
spoilings of goods : nay, nor life itself. And there was 
never any persecution that came, but we saw it was for 
good ; and we looked upon it to be good, as from God : 
and there never were any prisons that I was in. or suffer- 
ings, but still it was for the bringing multitudes more 
out of prison. For they that imprisoned the Truth and 
quenched the Spirit in themselves, would prison it and 
quench it without them. So that there was a time when 
there were so many in prison, that it became a by-word, 
Truth teas scarce!// to le found hut In gaols* 

And after that the king came in, divers Friends suffered 
much, because they would not drink the king's health, 
and say, God lless the ting ; so that many times Friends 
were in danger of their lives by rude persons, who were 
ready to run them through with their swords for refusing 
it ; until the king gave forth a proclamation against 
drinking healths. For we were and are against all drink- 
ing healths and excess, both before his coming in, and 
after ; and we desire the king's good, and that the bless- 
ings of God might come upon him, and all his subjects, 
and all people upon the face of the earth. 



GEORGE FOX. 



s 



And so, the Lord's power gave us dominion over that 
also, and all our other sufferings. But ! the number 
of sufferers in the Commonwealth's days, and 0, Pro- 
tector's days, and since ! but especially they that were 
haled before their courts, for not paying tithes, and not 
swearing in their juries, and for not putting off their 
hats, and for going to meetings on the First-days, (under 
pretence of breaking the Sabbath,) and other meetings in 
the week days ; who were abused both in meetings, and 
on the highways ! Oh, how great w T ere the sufferings we 
then sustained upon these accounts ; for sometimes they 
would drive Friends by droves into the prison-houses 
(like penfolds), and there keep them on the First-days ; 
and then take their horses from them, and keep them for 
pretended breach of their Sabbath ; though they would 
ride in their coaches and upon their fat horses to the 
steeple-houses themselves, and yet punish others. And 
many Friends were turned out of their copyholds and 
customary tenements, because they could not sw T ear ; and 
as they went to meetings, they have been stoned through 
the streets, and cruelly abused otherwise. And many 
were fined with great fines, and lay long in prison for not 
putting off their hats ; but Friends could never pay them, 
though they kept them in prison till they had satisfied 
their own wills upon them ; and at last turned them out, 
after they had kept them a year or more in prisons. 

And thus the Lord's power hath carried us through 
all, and over all, to his everlasting glory and praise ! for 
God's power, which was before the devil's was, hath been 
our hedge, our wall, and our keeper, and the preserver of 
his plants and vineyard, who have not had the magis- 
trate's sword and staff to help them, nor ever trusted in 
the arm of flesh : and have gone without Judas's bag, 
or the magistrate's sword and staff, to preach the word 

b 2 



4 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



of Life, which was in the beginning, before they were ; 
which word reconciles to God. And thousands have re- 
ceived the word of reconciliation, and are born again of 
the immortal seed by the Word of God, and are feeding 
upon the milk of the word, which lives, and abides, and 
endures for ever. And many have suffered to death for 
their testimony, both in England and beyond the seas, 
both before and since the king came in ; which ye may 
see as followeth : 

This was given to the king and both houses of parlia- 
ment, being " A brief, and plain, and true relatim of the 
late and $ad sufferings of the people of God, in scorn called 
Quakers, for worshipping and exercising a good conscience 
towards God and man. 

" By reason whereof eighty-nine have suffered till 
death ; (thirty-two of which died before the king came 
into England, and fifty-seven since, by hard imprison- 
ment and cruel usage ;) forty-three have died in the city 
of London and Southwark since the act was made against 
meetings/' &c. (about 1661.) 

And all those laws that were already made, and the 
oath which they imprisoned us for, (because we could 
not swear at all, in obedience to the command of Christ 
J esus,) were never originally intended against us. And 
yet we suffered by the several powers and their laws, 
though they did not concern us, both spoiling of goods 
and imprisonments, even to death itself. And the gover- 
nor of Dover Castle , when the king asked him if he had 
dispersed all the sectaries' meetings, he said : That he 
had ; " but the Quakers the devil himself could not : for if 
he did imprison them, and break them up, they would meet 
again ; and if he should beat them, and knock them down, 
or kill some of them, all was one ; they would meet and not 
resist again"'' And thus the Lord's power did support 



GEORGE FOX. 



them, and keep them over their persecutors ; and made 
them to justify our patience and lamb-like nature. This 
was about 1671. 

And since the king came in, three acts have been made 
against us by the king and parliament, besides the pro- 
clamations, by which many have suffered imprisonment 
and banishment, and many to death. And yet for all 
these acts and proclamations, and banishment, and per- 
secutions, and sufferings, faithful Friends are as fresh as 
ever, in the Lord's power, and valiant for his Name and 
Truth. And some weak ones there were, when the king 
came in, that did swear, and take the oaths ; but after, 
when they had so done, they were sore troubled for dis- 
obeying the command of Christ and the apostle, that 
they went to the magistrates, and condemned themselves, 
and offered themselves to go to prison. 

And thus the Lord, in his everlasting power, hath been 
the support and stay of his people. 

And when the glorious Gospel and Truth were spread 
over the nation, and they had received the Word of Life, 
then first the Quarterly, and some Monthly Meetings, 
were settled throughout the nation ; and then after, as 
Truth more and more spread, the monthly men's meet- 
ings, in 1667 and 1668. And then also some women's 
meetings were set up. 

And now the power of God is the authority of both 
our men's and women's meetings, and all our other meet- 
ings ; whieh power of God was before the apostacy and 
before the fall, and is over all ; and all are to take their 
possessions of it ; and in it are to do God's service and 
business. G. F. 



6 



EPISTLES, &C, OF 



NO. II. * 

Friends, 1650. 

The children of the devil, how expert are they in evil, 
in all deceit, in his kingdom ; and yet they may speak of 
the things of God ; but no vulture's eye ever saw nor 
venemous beast ever trod in the steps of the just, though 
they may talk of the way. For they who have their 
conversation in this world, and only mind the things of 
this world, in vain do they profess godliness. 

But the children of God, who are conceived and be- 
gotten of Him, are not of this world, neither do they 
mind only the things of this world, but the things which 
are eternal : the children of this world do mostly mind 
the external things, and their love is in them, but the 
other live by faith ; the one is sanctified by the W ord, 
the other painted with the words. The children of God 
are pure in heart, not looking only at the outside : the 
favour of the w T orld and friendship thereof is enmity to 
God ; man may soon be stained with it. love the 
stranger, and be as strangers in the w T orld, and to the 
world ! for they that followed Christ in his cross, they 
were strangers in the world, and wonders to the world, 
and condemned by the world ; and the world knew Him 
not, neither doth it them that follow Him now. So, 
marvel not if the world hate you ; for the world lieth in 
hatred and wickedness. Those who love this w r orld, are 
enemies to Christ ; and they who love the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and have Him for their Lord over them, they are 
redeemed out of the world. The world would have a 
Christ, but not to rule over them ; the nature of the 

* The numerical designation of the Epistles does not begin till 
after the preceding Introductory Epistle, which stands second in 
the folio volume. 



GEORGE FOX. 7 

world is above Christ in man, until Christ hath subdued 
that nature in man. While the nature of the world doth 
rule in man, oh ! the deaf ears and blind eyes, and the 
understandings, that are all shut up amongst them, with 
which they judge ! But they who love the Lord Jesus 
Christ, do not mind the world's judgment, nor are trou- 
bled at it. 

When ye think ye are past all crosses, when the trial 
doth come, ye will find a cross to that will which doth 
meddle with the things of God presumptuously. Rejoice 
not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, which crucifieth all 
fleshly boastings : if that will be fed, then carelessness 
cometh up, and they fall into flatness from the Spirit, 
and are mindless of the Lord God : such are soon up and 
down. The serpent tempted Eve to eat of the forbidden 
fruit, and she took and gave to her husband, and so they 
fell under the serpent's power and the creature's, out of 
the power of God, which would have kept them in do- 
minion, and so Adam and Eve, and the serpent, all went 
out of Truth. And Eve eating of the tree of knowledge, 
she had knowledge and wisdom after the fall, but not in 
the dominion, in the power of God : but the Seed, Christ, 
which was in the beginning, bruiseth this serpent's head, 
and He is the Wisdom of God. G. F. 



NO. IV. 

All Friends, 1651. 

Mind that which is pure in you to guide you to God, 
out of Babylon, out of confusion, where all the world is ; 
there is the seat of the beast, there are the false prophets 
and deceivers, as well within as without. But, dear 
Friends, mind the Light of God in your consciences, which 
will show you all deceit. God is not the author of con- 



8 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



fusion, but of peace. All jarrings, all schisms, all rents? 
are out of the Spirit, for God hath tempered the body to- 
gether, that there should be no schism in the body, but 
all worship Him with one consent. And as the power 
and life of Truth is made manifest, watch in the discern- 
ing one over another. 

And beware of discouraging any in the work of God. 
The labourers are few, that are faithful for God. Take 
heed of hurting the gift, which God hath given to profit 
withal, whereby ye have received life through death, and 
a measure of peace by the destruction of evil. Pray, that 
peace may be multiplied, and the ministration of life, to 
the raising of the dead, that the Seed of the Woman may 
bruise the Serpents head, discover all deceit, and rend all 
vails and coverings, that the pure may come to life, which 
deceit hath trampled upon. 

And all take heed to your spirits ; that which is hasty ? 
discerns not the good Seed. Take heed of being corrupted 
by flatteries ; they that know their God, shall be strong. 
But take heed of labouring to turn the just aside for a 
thing of naught, but know the precious from the vile, the 
clean from the unclean. And therefore all mind your 
gift, mind your measure ; mind your calling and your 
work. Some speak to the conscience ; some plough and 
break the clods ; some weed out, and some sow ; some 
wait, that fowls devour not the seed. But wait all for 
the gathering of the simple-hearted ones ; for they that 
turn many to righteousness, shall shine for ever. G, F. 

— — <$> — 

NO. VI. 

Friends, 1652. 

No one is justified, in breaking the commands of Christ ; 
no one is justified, whilst living in iniquity ; and no one 



GEORGE FOX. 



9 



is justified in professing only Christ's words, and the pro- 
phets and the apostles' words, and living out of their lives. 
And no one is justified, living in the first birth and na- 
ture, and false faith and hope, which do not purify, as 
God is pure. No man is justified, not believing in the 
Light, as Christ commands, but with the Light is con- 
demned ; for the Light is the condemnation of all them 
that walk contrary to it : therefore the power of God 
mind. No man is justified, acting contrary to that Spirit 
which doth convince him. G. F. 

❖ 



NO. VIII. 

Dear Friends, 1 652. 

Those that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer 
persecution. God is righteous ; God is pure, holy, and 
just ; God is clean. He that is godly and holy, suffereth 
by the ungodly and unrighteous, and unclean, and un- 
just, and filthy : and so the just suffereth by the unjust ; 
and he that is born of the flesh, persecutes him that is 
born of the Spirit. G. F. 





no. x. 

To Friends, to stand still in trouble, and see the strength of 

the Lord. 

Friends, 1652. 

Whatever ye are addicted to, the tempter will come in 
that thing ; and when he can trouble you, then he gets 
advantage over you, and then ye are gone. Stand still 
in that which is pure, after ye see j T ourselves ; and then 
mercy comes in. After thou seest thy thoughts, and the 
temptations, do not think, but submit ; and then power 
comes. Stand still in that which shows and discovers ; 

b3 



10 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



and then doth strength immediately come. And stand 
still in the Light, and submit to it, and the other will be 
hushed and gone ; and then content comes. And when 
temptations and troubles appear, sink down in that which 
is pure, and all will be hushed, and fly away. Your 
strength is to stand still, after ye see yourselves ; what- 
soever ye see yourselves addicted to, temptations, cor- 
ruption, uncleanness, &c, then ye think ye shall never 
overcome. And earthly reason will tell you what ye 
shall lose ; hearken not to that, but stand still in the Light, 
that shows them to you, and then strength comes from the 
Lord, and help contrary to your expectation : then ye 
grow up in peace, and no trouble shall move you. David 
fretted himself, when he looked out ; but when he was 
still, no trouble could move him. When your thoughts 
are out abroad, then troubles move you : but come to stay 
your minds upon that Spirit, which was before the letter ; 
here ye learn to read the Scriptures aright. If ye do 
any thing in your own wills, then ye tempt God ; but 
stand still in that power which brings peace. G. F. 

NO. xv. 

To the Church of God in Lancashire. 
Friends, 1652. 

Every one in particular^ who is of God, and not of 
the world— walk out of the world's vain customs, or- 
dinances, and commands ; and stand a witness against 
them all, in the testimony of Jesus ; and witnessHim, the 
substance of all, waiting in the Light of God, and walk- 
ing in it : then will ye have unity one with another, and 
the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse you from all sin ; 
for through it and by it we do overcome ; which blood of 
the Neio Covenant is but one. There shall ye witness 



GEORGE FOX. 



11 



the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the vjorlcL 
O wait all in that which is pure, to be fed alone of God 
with the eternal, living food ! as ye have received Christ 
Jesus, in Him walk, that ye may all honour the Lord 
Jesus Christ, and adorn his Gospel. And be famous in 
his Light, and bold in his strength, which will carry you 
above the world, and above all the deceits of it. 

Oh in love watch over one another for good, and for the 
better, and not for the worse ! And dwell in that which 
is pure of God in you, lest your thoughts get forth ; and 
then evil thoughts get up, and surmising one against 
another, which arise out of the veiled mind. But as ye 
dwell in that which is of God, it guides you up out of the 
elementary life, and out of the mortal into the immortal 
(which is hid from all the fleshly ones,) where is peace 
and joy eternal to all that can witness the new birth . 
Babes in Christ, born again of the immortal Seed, in it 
wait ; my life is with you in perfect unity ; bow down to 
nothing, but the Lord God. Satan would have had Christ 
to have bowed down, but He would not ; the same Seed 
now, the same birth [is] born in you now, which is the 
same to-day, yesterday, and for ever. The tempter will 
come to you ; and if ye look forth, and hearken to his 
words, and let them in, then ye bow down under him, 
and worship him. But I say unto you, and charge you 
in the presence of the Lord, mind the pure Seed of God 
in you, and the mighty power of God will cherish you up 
to the Lord God above all temptations, not to bow down 
to any thing ; but feeding upon the immortal food, ye will 
feel yourselves supported and carried over him, by your 
Father and your God, who is over all, blessed for ever ! 
who is the virtue of all creatures, the wisdom of all things ; 
all holy praises be unto the holy, glorious Lord God, for 
ever ! G. E, 



11 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. XVf. 

1652. 

To all you, my dear Friends, who have tasted of the 
immediate working power of the Lord, and do find an 
alteration in your minds, and do see from whence virtue 
doth come and strength, that doth renew the inward man, 
and doth refresh you ; which draws you in love to forsake 
the world, and that which hath form and beauty in it to 
the eye of the world; and hath turned your minds within, 
which see your houses foul, and corruptions strong, and 
the way narrow and strait which leads to life eternal; 
to you all I say, wait upon God in that which is pure. 
Though you see little, and know little, and have little, 
and see your emptiness, and see your nakedness, and 
barrenness, and unfruitfulness, and see the hardness of 
your hearts, and your own unworthiness ; it is the Light 
that discovers all this, and the love of God to you, and 
it is that which is immediate, but the dark understanding 
cannot comprehend it. So, wait upon God in that which 
is pure, in your measure, and stand still in it every one, 
to see your Saviour, to make you free from that which 
the Light doth discover to you to be evil. For the voice 
of the Bridegroom is heard in our land; and Christ is 
come amongst the prisoners, to visit them in the prison- 
houses ; they have all hopes of releasement and free 
pardon, and to come out freely, for the debt is paid; wait 
for the manifestation of it, and he that comes out of prison 
shall reign. 

So meet together, all ye that fear the Lord God, and 
think upon his Name. His mercies endure for ever ; his 
mercies are in temptations and troubles ; his mercies are 
in afflictions, in reproaches and in scorns. Therefore 
rejoice, ye simple ones, which love simplicity, and meet 



GEORGE FOX. 



13 



and wait together to receive strength and wisdom from 
the Lord God ; and in departing from sin and evil, ye 
will be able to speak to the praise of the Lord. And 
meeting and waiting in his power, which ye have received, 
in it all to improve your measure, that God hath given 
you ; for ye never improve your measure, so long as ye 
rely upon any visible thing without you ; but when ye 
come alone to wait upon God, ye shall every one have a 
reward according to your deserts, and every one your 
penny, who are called into the vineyard to labour. 
Therefore be faithful to God, and mind that which is 
committed to you, as faithful servants, labouring in love ; 
some threshing, and some ploughing, and some to keep 
the sheep : he that can receive this, let him : and all to 
watch over one another in the Spirit of God. So God 
Almighty bless, guide, and prosper you unto his kingdom, 
where there is no tribulation. G. F. 

- * 

NO. XVII. 

Dear Friends, 1652. 

Prize your time, and the love of the Lord to your souls, 
above all things ; and mind that Light in you, that shows 
you sin and evil ; which checks you, when ye speak an 
evil word, and tells you that ye should not be proud, nor 
wanton, nor fashion yourselves like unto the world ; for 
the fashion of this world passeth aicay. And if ye hearken 
to that, it will keep you in a humbleness of mind, and 
lowliness of heart, and turn your minds within, to wait 
upon the Lord, to be guided by it ; and bring you to lay 
aside all sin and evil, and keep you faithful to the Lord ; 
and bring you to wait on Him for teaching, till an entrance 
thereof be made to your souls, and refreshment come to 
them from the presence of the Lord. 



14 



EPISTLES, fcc. OF 



If ye hearken to the Light in you, it will not suf- 
fer you to conform to the evil ways, customs, fashions, 
delights, and vanities of the world ; it will lead you 
to purity, to holiness, to uprightness, even to the 
Lord. Dear hearts, hearken to it, to be guided bv it : 
for if ye love the light, ye love Christ : if ye hate that, ye 
hate Christ. Therefore in the Name of the Lord Jesus 
Christ consider of it ; and the Lord open your under- 
standings to know Him ! G. F. 

♦ 

NO. XXIV. 

To all Friends even/ where, 

1653. 

Dwell in the Truth, and walk in the love of the Truth, 
in patience, and every one in your measure keep your 
habitations, and learn that good lesson of Jesus Christ. 
to le low and meek in heart, giving no occasion to the 
adversary by evil doing. But walk all honestly and 
uprightly ; for the upright and meek in heart know God, 
and God delights rn the upright and righteous. Thus 
walking, ye will be bold as lions, resisting the wicked 
with your spiritual weapons, not by bloody hands, as 
the wicked are tearing and rending the just that dwell in 
the Truth. For the lions want, and hunger, and rage, 
but ye that feetr the Lord shall want no good thing ; and 
they that icait upon the Lord, lie will give them their 
hearts' desire. I witness the words of the Lord to be 
true, praised be His name. 

Oh Friends ! dwell in the fear of the Lord, and take 
heed of presumption, that your minds run not out into 
vanitv and lightness, that the world mav not take occa- 
sion, and the Truth suffer ; but every one keep your 



GEORGE FOX. 



15 



habitation, where God hatli called you, and take heed of 
deceit, and form nothing in your own wills or minds : 
but, putting off the old man with his deeds, grow up in 
the inner man, as trees of righteousness which the Lord 
hath planted, growing in wisdom and understanding to 
do the will of God, and not your own wills. 

He that doth the will of God, abideth in that which 
endureth for ever, and seeth all flesh to be as grass, and 
the glory of the world to pass away. Woe unto you 
proud men, who compass the earth to set your nests on 
high ; all your gods of gold and silver must perish, and 
that mind that holds them up, must perish. But all 
Friends, mind that which is eternal, which gathers your 
hearts together up to the Lord, and lets you see that ye 
are written in one another's hearts ; meet together every 
where, growing up in the Spirit to the Lord, the Fountain 
of life, the Head of all things, God blessed for ever ! 
Let not hard words trouble you, nor fair speeches win 
you; but dwell in the power of Truth, in the mighty God, 
and have salt in yourselves to savour all words, - and to 
stand against all the wiles of the devil, in the mighty 
power of God. 

God hath raised up his own Seed in his saints, which 
Seed, Christ is but one in all, and spreads over all, and 
throughout all ; and we now are through Him come to 
have dominion and power over the evil one, and to tread 
upon that which hath been too strong for us, the enemy 
of our peace, and the enemy of our unity with God and 
one with another. So in that which is raised up in us, 
which trampled upon the earthly, dark power, have we 
unity with God. and fellowship with Jus Son. and unity one 
with another: and are known to one another in that, which 
none who are of the world knoweth. So our life is hid, 
and our happiness, joy, and delight hid from all, who are 



16 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



ruled and governed by the prince of the air ; from under 
whose dominion and government we are redeemed by the 
only Redeemer, Christ Jesus, not with corruptible things; 
neither is our redemption of man, nor by man, nor accord- 
in^ to the will of man, but contrary to man's will. And 
so our unity and fellowship with vain man is lost, and 
all his evil ways are now turned into enmity ; and all his 
profession is now found to be deceit, and in all his fairest 
pretences lodgeth cruelty ; and the bottom and ground of 
all his knowledge of God and Christ is found sandy, and 
cannot endure the tempest. For being brought off from 
that foundation, and having suffered the loss of all which 
seemed beautiful upon the sand, we do declare against 
that bottom and foundation by the power of God, in that 
light of Christ, which discovers all false foundations, and 
makes manifest all sandy bottoms which man hath builded 
upon. 

That mind, which doth speak of God, but lives not, 
dwells not, nor abides in the fear of God, that mind must 
suffer and pass under the judgment of God. And that 
mind may talk of God, and speak of God, but not in 
union with God, nor from enjoyment of God in the Spirit, 
nor from having purchased the knowledge of Him through 
death and sufferings ; but from hearsay of Him, and from 
custom and tradition. The true fear of God doth destroy 
that mind which speaks of Him, but doth not live in his 
fear : and that mind is raised up, which doth abide in his 
fear ; and this is acceptable sacrifice, which is pure, clean, 
holy, and without spot. Then that which knows God 
speaks of Him, having purchased the true knowledge 
of Him through suffering ; and to such there is no con- 
demnation, but joy and peace. And this mind sings true 
praises to God, the other in hypocrisy, and therefore woe 
is unto it. And this mind is staid upon God, the other 



GEORGE FOX. 



17 



is gadding after the creatures, and speaks of God, but 
is not subject to God, and must pass through condem- 
nation. Gr. F. 
+ 

NO. XXVII. 

To all uiy dear friends and brethren everywhere. 

1653, 

He that hath the Son of God, hath life ; all that have 
not the Son of God. have not life. The Son of God is 
He, who makes free from all sin, and is come to deface 
and destroy the image of the devil, and to renew us up 
in the ima^e of God ; and so to bring us to walk in 
righteousness. Praises be unto the glorious God for 
ever, who has sent his Son into the world, to take away 
the sins of the world. 

And all Friends, walk worthy of your calling in all 
holiness, for holiness becomes the saints ; without holi- 
ness no man shall see the Lord. And every one improve 
your talents, labouring in the vineyard, dressing in the 
Lord's vineyard, that ye may be found faithful servants, 
and all walking in love to God, and one to another. 

So, God Almighty be with you all ! the dew of heaven 
is falling upon you to water the tender plants ; and the 
blessing of God be amongst vou, which showers down 
amongst vou ! The heavenlv joy fill vour hearts, and 
comfort you in the inward man in all tribulations. The 
glorious light is shining, the immortal is bringing forth 
out of death ; the prisoners have hope of their pardon, 
the debt being paid, and they freely purchased by Christ's 
blood ; and He is come into the prison-houses ; the pri- 
soners begin to sing in hope of their eternal freedom, 
leaping for joy of heart ; and the dumb tongue shall sincr 
praises. G. F. 



18 



EPISTLES, &C, OF 



NO. XXVIII. 

1653. 

To all you that are enlightened with the light that 
comes from Jesus, to it take heed, which leads into the 
right course of nature. Those who act contrary to it, go 
out of the right course of nature, into drunkenness, rash- 
ness, lying, blaspheming, deceit, and uncleanness. All 
this is out of the right course of nature, and destroys it, 
and is to be condemned, by that which leads to the glory 
of the first body, and leads nature into its right course 
and right being, which man was in before he fell. 

G. F. 

^ 

XO XXX. 

To a suffering Friend. 
Dear John, 1653. 

The everlasting arm of the Lord hold thee up, and 
break all thy bonds asunder, and set thee upon the Rock 
on thy feet, in which thou mayst know his presence, and 
his everlasting, supreme power. And so the God of life 
be with thee ! And pray for thy enemies, for the Lord 
to open them and their hearts, and see themselves and 
thee. ' G. F. 
o 

XO. XXXV. 

To Friends in the Ministry. 

1653. 

Stand up ye prophets of the Lord, for the Truth upon 
the earth ; quench not your prophecy, neither heed them 
that despise it ; but in that stand, which brings you 
through to the end. Heed not the eyes of the world, ye 



GEORGE FOX. 



19 



prophets of the Lord, but answer that in them all, which 
they have closed their eyes to ; that ye may tell them of 
things to come, answering what is of God in them. 
Keep ye in your habitations, ye sons of God, that over 
all the contrary ye may reign. And ye daughters, to 
whom it is given to prophesy, keep within your own 
measure, seeing over that which is without, answering 
that of God in all ; and despise not the prophecy, neither 
be lifted up in your openings, lest ye depart from that 
which opened, and so come to be judged by the Son of 
God, and bidden to depart, as workers of iniquity ; for a 
worker of iniquity is gone from that which leads to the 
Son of God. 

Quench not the Spirit, by which ye may prove all 
things ; and that which is good hold fast ; for if the Spirit 
be quenched, then light is put for darkness, and darkness 
for light ; and evil is put for good, and good for evil : this 
is when the Spirit is quenched ; then cannot ye try all 
things — then cannot ye hold fast that which is good. For 
then they cannot see good, when the Spirit is quenched ; 
but when the Spirit is not quenched, then with the Spirit 
ye may see to take the good, and to shun the evil. And 
this brings to put a difference between the precious and 
the vile, the profane and the holy, the clean and the un- 
clean ; the Spirit is that which proves all things. 

G. F. 



NO. XXX VI. 

Friends, 1653. 

Take your heavenly censers, and offer up your spiritual 
prayers to the Almighty God, and having heavenly fire 
in your censers, it will consume all false offerings and 
sacrifices, which are offered in the evil nature. 

G. F. 



20 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. XXXVII. 

To Friends in Cumberland. 
Deah Friends, 1653. 

Prize your heavenly calling, by which ye are called into 
holiness and righteousness, without which no one shall see 
the Lord. And let your conversation be as becometh the 
Gospel, the holy power of God, which is the Gospel of 
Christ. And keep in the lowly mind, and the humility 
of Christ, that the fruits of your good conversation, and 
translation, and regeneration, may appear in your lives, 
.as a people redeemed from the pleasures of the flesh, and 
the spirit of the world, and the beggarly lusts ; and that 
ye may obtain the promise of the eternal God, and the 
power of the Truth, through the Word in the heart, the 
hidden man ; that ye may obtain victory over that which 
wars against your souls ; through which ye may be arrayed 
and adorned, and by which ye may be preserved and kept 
from that which is not of the Father, the lust of the flesh, 
the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, in the simplicity and 
innocency of Christ Jesus, through which ye may esteem 
nothing in comparison of that which is of God, and Him 
above all, through Christ the Light, the Truth, the Power 
of God, manifested in you. 

And keep out of all false liberties, and that which would 
lead you out of the fear of God ; and in that ye will be 
preserved in the sense of the power and the truth of God 
in your own hearts : in that let every one watch, through 
which knowledge and virtue is ministered unto you, and 
peace from the God of virtue and peace. And keep out 
of all that which tends to strife, and whisperings, and 
backbitings, and tattlings, which draws from the witness, 
watch, and fear of God within, and which leavens into the 
fleshly lusts and nature. 



GEORGE FOX. 



21 



So be wise, and keep your first love; break not wedlock 
with the Lord Jesus Christ; keep your first habitation; 
keep your garments clean, for such as so do, they are 
blessed ; that ye may shine as lights to the world, and be 
examples in virtue, righteousness, and holiness ; walking 
in the Truth in all patience and quietness, looking at the 
Lord your strength, and Christ J esus the Conqueror, and 
beyond all the hills and mountains ; that ye may be a 
good savour to the Lord, having salt in yourselves. 

And so walk in the righteousness, that your feet may 
be kept in the way of peace : and keep both your tongues, 
and hands, and bodies, and lips, and minds, and words, 
out of all that which would defile and corrupt you, and 
bring you under the indignation and wrath of God, and 
his hand to be turned against you. 

So, let not the world, let not things visible draw your 
minds away from the Lord. Do not mind the body more 
than the Lord ; do not forsake the Lord ; but be of good 
faith in the Truth of God, and live in it : then ye live 
in Christ J esus, who is your Way, who is your Teacher, 
who is your Prophet, who is your Priest, who is the 
Bishop of your immortal souls ; Christ that never fell, nor 
ever changed, nor ever will change. 

So, know Christ the head and salvation, in which there 
is peace, and no condemnation ; for the condemnation is 
upon them that are out of the Light. And so, live in 
unity in the Light, before darkness and enmity was, in 
which ye have peace, and love to God, to Christ, and to 
one another. G. F. 
* 

no. xxxviii. 

Friends, 1653. 

All ye who live in sin, know not God ; and you who 
are disobedient, and hold the Truth in unrighteousness, 



22 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



the wrath of God abides upon you. All ye that work 
iniquity, and live and die in that, are to depart from God 
as cursed, to everlasting punishment ; where then will ye 
find Him that ye talk of with your mouths, and call your 
Saviour I To you that live in your vain, wicked, profane 
ways, and take Him to be your cloak, and say ye are 
redeemed by Him, and live in your wickedness, Go ye 
cursed, He will say, I know you not: plagues, woe, and 
misery will be poured upon you all. Let every one that 
nameth the name of the Lord, depart from iniquity. 
None can call Him Lord, but by the Holy Ghost; and 
where the Holy Ghost is come, there He is Lord and 
King. 

The Lord is King in his saints, He guards them, and 
guides them with his mighty power, into his kingdom of 
glory and eternal rest, where they find joy, and peace, 
and rest eternal. All glory and praise be to the Lord 
God Almighty for ever ! G. F, 

^ 

NO. XLI. 

1653. 

To you all my brethren who dwell in the Light. I 
do charge you all, in the presence of the living God, 
to dwell in what ye spea Jc and profess ; and none to pro- 
fess what he doth not dwell in ; and none to profess what 
he is not ; a sayer and not a doer ; such beget vain talkers. 
So I charge you all in the presence of the living God, to 
dwell in the Light. The highest religion must bend and 
bow to it ; and all which is contrary to it is to be con- 
demned. And, all Friends, dwell in the Light, which is 
eternal, which comprehends the world, that with it ye 
may comprehend the world; and rise up, and go on in the 



GEOKGE FOX. 



23 



mighty power of God, as mighty men of war, in the power 
and strength of the mighty God of life, the Lord of hosts, 
who is your Shield, Buckler, and Defence, and Armour, 
who arms you over all the wicked, to reign, triumph, and 
trample. God Almighty bless you, and prosper his work, 
that ye may be made manifest to the Light in all con- 
sciences, to the measure of God, which is pure, which is 
given to every one ; that with it all may see what is con- 
trary to God. G. F, 

+ 

NO. XLIII. 

1653. 

And ye that are led forth to exhort or to reprove, doit 
with all diligence, taking all opportunities, reproving that 
which devours the creation, and thereby destroys the very 
human reason : for the Truth doth preserve every thing 
in its place. And all meet together every where, and in 
your meetings wait upon the Lord ; and take heed of 
forming words, but mind the power, and know that which 
is eternal, which will keep you all in unity, walking in 
the Spirit, and will let you see the Lord near you, and 
amongst you. So, God Almighty be with you, and mul- 
tiply you, and give you the dew of heaven, the heavenly 
dew, the living mercies, (which nourisheth the tender 
plants, which causeth them to grow, bud, and bring forth,) 
and water you with his blessings. 

The love of God is love past knowledge, which bears 
all things, endures all things, hopes all things, envieth 
not, thinketh no evil. And the love of God is the ground 
of all true love in your hearts, which casts out the love 
of the world, and the enmity which was gotten betwixt 
you and God. He that believes, is lorn of God ; and he 



24 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



that is horn of God, overcomes the world. So, fare ye all 
well, and God Almighty bless and prosper you. 

G. F. 

^ 

XO, XLV. 

Concerning the heirs of the kingdom of God, and how 
Christ was, and his saints are, tempted. 

1653. 

They are the heirs of the kingdom of God, and of the 
generation of God, that live out of the kingdom of the 
wicked world, (up to God, in the seed, which all the pro- 
mises of God are to.) following after Christ, who was in 
Egypt, and passed out of Egypt, the house of darkness. 
And He was in the wilderness, and there He was tempted 
to lust after the creature ; He was tempted to make Him- 
self away ; He was tempted to worship the devil, to bow 
down and worship him. He is the Captain of our salva- 
tion ; He is gone before ; He endured the cross ; He 
despised the shame ; He suffered the contradiction of 
sinners, for the glory that was set before Him. He hath 
won the crown. He hath overcome Egypt, and He hath 
fulfilled the law ; He hath overcome the world ; He hath 
overcome the temptations ; He is able to succour all who 
are tempted. It is no sin to be tempted ; but to enter 
into the temptation, that is sin. He is the Head of the 
body ; He is the Head of the church, who hath blotted 
out the ordinances and traditions of men — who is the 
end of the daily sacrifice — who is the end of the Levitical 
Priesthood ; He is the end of all outward temples, who is 
the substance of the prophets, for they all witnessed of 
Him : He is ascended above all principalities and powers. 
Now, the same Seed, which is Christ, the same Spirit 



GEORGE FOX. 



25 



is now manifest, that ever was ; the same world is 
now that ever was; the same temptations, and the same 
devil, and the same vain worship of the world, twining 
into another form and colour. And Jesus Christ is 
the Way, the Truth, and the Life ; the Door that all 
must pass through ; and He it is that opens it ; the 
same door that ever was, the same Christ, yesterday, to- 
day, and for ever. And all who follow Christ the Seed, 
and are of his generation, and are brought out of Egypt, 
the house of darkness, and from under the law, the 
righteousness of the law is fulfilled in them ; who walk 
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, (as the apostle 
saith,) which we do witness. And the Seed's generation 
hath passed through the wilderness where they have been 
tempted to lust after the creature ; (ye that have been in 
the wilderness can witness this with me ;) and [have 
had] the same temptations, even to despair, and to make 
themselves away. The devil, before he would go out of 
his kingdom, he would destroy all : but look at the Captain 
Jesus Christ, who hath passed before, who was tempted 
with the same temptations to worship the devil ; and that 
if thou wouldest worship the devil, thou shouldest have 
the glory of the world ; if not, thou shouldest be called a 
devil, as Christ was, and be called a madman, as He was ; 
and that none followed Him but a cursed people, as they 
said. 

And thou shalt lose thy good name, and be a laughing- 
stock to them that worship the devil, and as a derision 
among them, and a mark for every one of them to 
shoot at, and the drunkards to make songs of. This is 
the portion of them who deny the worship of the world, 
and the glory, and the favour, and the evil fashions 
thereof, and cannot fashion themselves to it, who are 
tempted to all these things. But it is no sin to be 



26 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



tempted ; but standing in the power of the Almighty 
God, ye will be enabled to stand against and above all 
the wiles of Satan. So dwell in the power of Almighty 
God, which carries through the wilderness, and through 
temptations, to the end, and gets the victory over all the 
carnal ordinances, and commands, and traditions of men ; 
and He that overcomes, ascends above them all : and He 
that overcomes shall sit down %mth Christ in his throne. So 
every one must witness Christ horn in them, passing 
through death to Him, through the world, through the 
law, through temptations, through the wilderness, and 
out of the world ; and the Son of God ye will witness to 
arise, who doth overcome, who was born of God. And 
the same Spirit, that raised up Jesus Christ, the same 
Spirit raiseth you up, and quickeneth your mortal bodies; 
and he that hath not the same is none of His. 

So examine yourselves, and see if ye have fellowship 
with Christ in his sufferings, and be brought to be con- 
formable to Him in his death, and to have fellowship 
with Him in his temptations and reproaches, and buffet- 
ings, and scornings, and the contradiction of sinners, and 
to be spit upon as He was ; and he that hath fellowship 
with Him in his sufferings, shall have fellowship with 
Him in his glory. And He that doth confess Him in 
this dark world, him will He confess before his Father 
and his angels ; and he that doth deny Him in this 
world, him He will deny before his Father and his angels 
in the world to come. 

Now to all you who are convinced, and have your 
understandings enlightened. Beware ye enter not into 
the temptation to lust after the creature, and give not way 
to the lazy, dreaming mind, for it enters into temptations. 
So there thou wilt be polluted with the pollutions of the 
world ; then thou wilt be tempted to despair, and the 



GEORGE FOX. 



27 



devil there gets power upon thee, if thou enter into temp- 
tations, and follow thy imaginations in going from the 
light of Christ within thee. And then thou judgest with 
evil thoughts ; and he will come with his instruments, 
his evil angels, to tempt thee from God's worship to the 
false worship, suggesting that thou wilt lose thy credit 
or good name, or thy place, or thy authority, where thou 
art, except thou wilt bow to him : and every one will 
stare at thee, and thou wilt be gazed at, and wondered 
at. So if thy mind go from the light, and out of the fear 
of the Lord, then thou wilt consult with flesh and blood, 
which must never enter into the kingdom of God. And 
so the eye of thy mind will be turned out from God, and 
thou wilt come under the power of the prince of the air, 
which rules and reigns in the children of disobedience, 
' and so under the dominion of Satan. 

And then, though thou mayst have the praise of the 
world, and the glory of the world, yet, disobeying that 
which should have led thee into the kingdom of God, 
and from under the dominion of Satan, thy latter end 
will be worse than thy beginning. And in the world 
thou mayst have thy honour ; and the fleshly man may 
be nourished, and thy glory and renown may grow again 
among the fleshly ones, who are gone out from God, and 
have disobeyed the light in them, wdiich should have led 
them from under the dominion of Satan up to God, where 
there is joy eternal, where there are riches and glory 
eternal, and where there is comfort eternal ; whose king- 
dom is for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting do- 
minion. But thou, who forsakest the right way, goest 
into eternal destruction. Wo, wo is to thee ! for the 
love of the world is an enemy to God ; and he that 
loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him : and 

c 2 



28 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



thou who settest thy hand to the plough, and lookest 
back, art not fit for the kingdom of God. 

■ ♦ 

NO. XLVII. 

To Friends in Cumberland, BishopricJc and Northum- 
berland. 

1653. 

Take heed of judging the measures of others, but 
every one mind your own ; and there ye famish the busy 
minds and high conceits, and so peace springs up among 
you, and division is judged. And this know, that there 
are diversities of gifts, but one spirit and unity therein to 
all, who with it are guided. And though the way seems 
to thee diverse, yet judge not the way, lest thou judge 
the Lord, and knowest not, that several ways (seeming 
so to reason) hath God to bring his people out by, yet are 
all but one in the end ; that He may be looked to from 
all the ends of the earth, to be a Guide and Law-giver ; 
and that none should judge before Him. Deep is the 
mystery of Godliness ! therefore silence all flesh, and see 
that your own ways be clean ; and as ye grow therein, 
the way of peace will be more prized by you, and the 
perfect bond ye will come to know ; and all who are here 
established, shall stand in strength, when others fall, on 
the ri^ht hand and on the left. 

Dear Friends, ye have long been convinced, and owned 
the Lord in word and form ; and look for it, ye must be 
proved and tried, not only your faith and patience in 
persecution by the enemy without, (for that many of you 
have escaped,) but proved ye must all be with that which 



GEORGE FOX, 



29 



is nearer, even a falling away amongst yourselves : and 
it is good, that the stedfastness of all should be known 
herein. For many are crept in unawares, who are self- 
ended, slow -bellies, who love this world more than the cross 
of Christ, who are got high in the form, and have great 
swelling words, which they can utter for their advantage 
in earthly things, deceiving the simple therewith, who 
are not yet got above the pollution of the world. 

And thus is the Scripture fulfilled : My little children, 
this have I written to you, that when ye see this come to 
pass, ye might not be amazed, as though some strange thing 
had befallen the church of God ; but even the same that 
was of old, to prom you, and to perfect you against the 
devil: herein is he made manifest, that ye may know his 
wiles. And great stedfastness shall it produce to all, 
who mind their standing upon Christ the Eock, and have 
salt in themselves to savour withal. But that which 
will not come to the everlasting foundation, is apt to be 
tossed to and fro with airy spirits, who are now gone out 
into the world, to deceive such, whose hearts look back 
after worldly things. Therefore stand with your minds 
girded up to Grod above the world, lest ye run in vain, 
and lose your crown ; which no one receives, but he 
that continues to the end. G. F. 

■ * : 

NO. XLVIII. 

To Friends concerning judging . 
Friends, 1658. 

To you all this is the word of the Lord : take heed of 
judging one another ; judge not one another (I charge 
you in the presence of the Lord) with that which must 
be judged ; neither lay open one another's weakness 



so 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



behind one another's backs ; for thou that dost so art 
one of Ham's family, which is under the curse. But 
every one of you in particular with the light of Christ 
(which He hath enlightened you withal) see yourselves, 
that self may be judged out with the Light in every one. 
Now, all loving the Light, here no self can stand, but it 
is judged with the Light ; and here all are in unity, and 
here no self-will can arise, nor any mastery. And let 
there be no backbiting amongst you ; but in love, ye 
that dwell in the Light, and see clear, speak to the 
others, whose minds are gone from the Light : else (as I 
said before) if ye do speak behind their backs, there will 
be the evil eye and filthy mind, which dare not speak to 
their faces. And so the same [mind] which doth con- 
demn behind the back, is for condemnation ; and so self 
should be judged first. Here ye will be kept watchful in 
the pure fear and love of God, and all self will be judged 
out from amongst you, which would be judging in secret, 
which is a work of darkness. 

And take heed (I charge you all in the presence of the 
living God) of a feigned humility, and a feigned love, 
which is out of the Light, and then to use it as a cus- 
tomary salutation, or a formal gesture ; which is all for 
condemnation, and to be kept out, being out of the 
Covenant. So see, that all your actings be in and from 
the Light ; here ye will be kept clean and pure, and will 
come to be sealed in the everlasting Covenant of God 
with the Light which comes from Christ. 

And again, I charge you all in the presence of the 
living God, not to suffer your minds to go out to contend 
with them who be not of the Truth, in that which is out 
of the Truth ; both which are to be condemned with the 
Truth. For the same mind will boast and get up, which 
is out of the Truth, and reaches at things in the com- 



GEORGE FOX. 



31 



prehension, though it lives not in it, but is excluded out 
of the Truth, and shall not enter ; but is for condem- 
nation. 

Friends, I warn and charge you all, that there be no 
keeping of old things in store in the mind or memory, 
heart-rising one against another, or backbiting among you, 
or speaking evil one of another ; but judge that out by 
the Light of Christ. G. F. 

* — _ 

NO. LI. 

To Friends, concerning the Cross of Christ, the Power of 
God, that leads out of the world, to the world that is 
without end. 

1653. 

The Cross being minded, it makes a separation from all 
other lovers, and brings to God ; and the ground of evil 
thoughts comes to be opened ; which cross overturns the 
world in the heart, and must be taken up by all who 
follow Jesus Christ, out of the world which hath an end, 
into the world which is without end. All the evil things 
of the world must be denied : for he who loves the zeorld, 
the love of the Father is not in him ; but where the world 
is standing, the cross is not lived in. But dwelling in 
the cross to the world, here the love of God is shed 
abroad in the heart, and the way is opened into the 
inheritance which fades not away ; where nothing shall 
enter which is defiled. For God is not seen, but in the 
eternal Light, from whence all pure wisdom comes : this 
treasure is not seen, but with the spiritual eye ; nor 
received, but with the pure in heart, and by those who 
dwell and abide in the eternal Light. But the carnal 
heart may get the words from them who had received the 



32 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



wisdom, and who dwelt in the fear of the Lord ; but 
they who live without the fear, may get their words, and 
yet know not wisdom's gate, from whence those words 
proceeded, having the old bottle. Watch all therefore, 
and see what ye do possess : for all who gave forth the 
Holy Scripture, who dwelt in the fear of God, they pos- 
sessed the life, which those words proceeded from ; and 
the secrets of the Lord were with them. Therefore all in 
your measure, which is of God, wait that it may guide 
your minds up to God, and follow it and not your evil 
desires, nor the lusts of the world ; for the fear of the 
Lord will keep your hearts clean, and the true wisdom 
will be with you in the pure heart. 

G. F. 

+ . 

NO. LVI. 

To call the minds out of the creatures. 

1653. 

All friends of the Lord every where, whose minds are 
turned within towards the Lord, take heed and hearken 
to the Light within you, which is the light of Christ and 
of God, that by it your minds may be renewed, and by 
it turned to God, with that which is pure, to worship the 
living God, the Lord of Hosts, over all the creatures. 
That which calls your minds out of the lusts of the 
world, it will call them out of the evil affections and 
desires, and turn you from them, and set your affections 
above. And the same Light, that calls your minds, 
which were abroad, out of the world, the same turns 
them to God, the Father of light. Here the pure mind 
is known, and the pure God is waited upon for wisdom 
from above ; and the pure God is served night and day. 



GEORGE FOX. 



S3 



and the peace which hath no end is enjoyed. For ye 
may have openings ; but your minds going into the 
lusts of the flesh, here the affections are not mortified. 
Therefore hearken to that, and take heed to that, which 
calls your minds out of the vile affections, and the world's 
lusts, to have them renewed : the same will turn your 
minds to God ; the same light will set your affections 
above, and bring you to wait for the pure wisdom from 
God from on high, that it may be justified, Wait all in 
that which calls your minds inward, and turns them to 
God ; and here is the cross witnessed, that the mind 
shall feed upon nothing but the pure light of God, and 
on the living food which comes from the living God. 

So, the Lord God Almighty be with you all, and keep 
you all in his strength and power, to his glory, over all 
the world, whose minds are called out of it, and turned 
to God to worship the Creator, and serve Him, and not 
the creature. And the light of God, that calls your 
minds out of the creatures, turns them to God, to an 
endless being, joy, and peace : here is a seeing God always 
present, who is not known to the world, whose minds are 
in the creatures, whose knowledge is in the flesh, and 
whose minds are not renewed. Therefore to you whose 
minds are called out of the creatures, and out of the 
world, and fading things, by the eternal light of God, 
the same eternal Light which hath turned it, and pre- 
sented it to God, will bring you to see all these things, 
and those whose minds are abroad in the creatures. 

So fare you well ! and God Almighty bless, guide, and 
keep you all in His wisdom. 

G. F, 



c 3 



34 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NOS. LXIV. AND LXV. 

To Friends in the Ministry. 

1654. 

All Friends, who are moved of the Lord to speak the 
word of the Lord, whom the Lord hath made to be his 
mouth, speak not your own words to feed the sensual 
part of man, in your own wills ; for there God is not 
honoured, and wisdom is not justified. 

Therefore be servants to the Truth, and do not strive 
for mastery, but serve one another in love. Wash one 
another s feet ; take Christ for your example, that I may 
hear of no strife among you. Therefore mind not high 
things, but fear, and condescend to men of low degree ; 
for the fear of the Lord keeps the heart clean, and the 
pure in heart sees God. 

And friends, spread yourselves abroad, that you may 
be serviceable for the Lord and His Truth. And Him 
who was promised to be the Covenant of God to the Gen- 
tiles, and the New Covenant to the Jews, hold forth to 
them both ; that all may know Him to be their Leader 
to God, and the prisoner to come forth unto Him. 

Love the Truth more than all, and go on in the mighty 
power of God. as good soldiers of Christ, well fixed in 
His glorious gospel, and in His w 7 ord and power ; that 
you may know Him, the life and salvation, and bring up 
others into it. G. F. 
+ 

NO LXXV, 

3 654. 

Ye must do nothing for the Lord by earthly policy, 
nor trust to that ; but wait in the power of the Lord 
God, and be ordered by that to his glory : ye will 



GEORGE FOX. 



35 



never be right till then, and that must keep peace 
among you. 

And take heed of high-mindedness, for that will puff 
up that part, -which should not be exalted ; and if that 
come up to rule, which is for judgment, then it will do 
hurt. But when He comes to reign, whose right it is, 
then peace and good-will is unto all men ; and no hurt 
in all the holy mountain of the Lord is seen. 

G. F, 

♦ 

NO. LXXIX. 

To all Friends to abide in their callings. 

1654. 

To all dear Friends, who are called, who are enlight- 
ened, whose minds are turned from the world's worships 
and teachers, having your eve to the light and guide 
within, which is leading you out of this dark world, and 
your old, vain conversations, towards God, and the world 
which is without end ; mercy and peace from God the 
Father be multiplied among you ! Every one of you 
abide in your calling, waiting upon God, where He hath 
called you. And take heed of reasoning with flesh and 
blood, for there disobedience, pride, and presumption will 
arise ; and there ye will grow up to be trees that bear 
no fruit, and as a fig-tree which beareth leaves, and no 
fruit, and as wells without water. O ! therefore, mind 
the pure Spirit which would lead you out of this cor- 
ruptible, heathenish, dark world, and its vain ways, and 
from destruction and death to life. And so the Lord 
God of power bless you, guide you, and preserve you on 
in your way to the holy city, being called out of the 
unholy city ; for He that hath called you is holy. Now 
many are called, but few are chosen : ! therefore. 



36 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



abide in that which hath called you up to Hiin, who is 
holy and pure. 

So mind your present guide, and your present condi- 
tion, and your call, what ye are called from, and what 
ye are called to ; for whom the Lord hath called and 
chosen, are the Lord's free men. And so abide every 
one in your calling with God, w T here God hath called 
you, and there walk in newness of life, and not in the 
oldness of the letter ; for he that turneth from Him that 
calleth, walks not in the life of Grod. And take heed of 
words without life, for they tend to draw you out of the 
power, to live above the Truth, and out of your condi- 
tions. And be ye all servants to the Truth, and diligent 
in your callings, and serve one another in love, in which 
you can wash one another's feet. 

My little children in the Lord God Almighty, this is 
my joy, that ye be all ordered and guided by the mighty 
power of God, and dwell in it, and know it in one an- 
other, and know the voice that speaketh, and the sound 
of the words, and power of them. For words without 
power destroy the simplicity, and bring up into a form, 
and out of the obedience of the Truth. And therefore 
walk in the power of the Truth, that the name of the 
Lord God may be glorified among you. Therefore have 
salt in yourselves, and be low in heart ; the light is low 
in you, and it will teach you to be low, and to learn that 
lesson of Jesus Christ, to the plucking down all the high 
thoughts and imaginations. Let no strife be amongst 
you, and let none seek for the highest place, for there is 
the separated pharisee ; but be lowly-minded, conde- 
scending one to another in a low degree ; and bear one 
with another in patience ; and be not high-minded, but 
fear. And all who are servants, labour in love, as unto 
God, for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof ; 



GEORGE FOX. 



37 



and labour in singleness, as unto the Lord. And all who 
have families, rule in the power and love of God, that 
that love may be head among you : for the time is coming, 
that it shall he, as with the servant, so with the master ; 
and as with the maid, so with the mistress. For it is one 
seed that hath raised them up w T ith one power, out of one 
grave, one death : which Seed all the promises of God 
are to. So all Friends, this is to you who know the voice 
of the living God, and know your calling ; stand fast, 
and waver not, lest you lose your recompense of reward ; 
but stand fast, that ye may receive the recompense of 
reward. For God is just in all His ways, and abideth 
faithful. 

Therefore, all Friends, mind that which is of God in 
you, who gives you food and raiment, and strength; 
that ye may gather strength, and flourish, and your souls 
delight themselves in fatness, and feed and eat of the 
abundance of riches with Him and from Him, who filleth 
all things ; and of the daily bread which cometh from 
above, which none can feed upon but who are above the 
w r orld ; for who are below never could nor would, but are 
ready to stone them that confess they eat of the bread of 
Life, and would give of it to them. Dear Friends, wait 
upon the Lord, that all of you may grow up in the 
inward man, and be comforted and cherished there, in 
the things that be eternal. 

And stand in the will of the Lord, and be obedient to 
Him ; and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which 
teacheth you to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts ; 
that grace fill and establish your hearts, that your hearts 
may grow up in that grace to God, from whence all gifts 
and graces come. Amen. G. F. 



38 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. LXXX. 

To seek the kingdom of God first. 

1654. 

Friends, seek the kingdom of God first, and the 
righteousness thereof ; and those things, what ye shall 
eat, and what ye shall drink, and tvherewith ye shall be 
clothed, will be added, and will follow. Therefore take 
no thought what ye shall eat, not what ye shall drink, 
nor wherewithal ye shall be clothed ; for the Gentiles 
seek after these things, who seek not after the kingdom 
of God, and the righteousness of it : but seek ye first the 
kingdom of God, and the righteousness of it. And con- 
sider the lilies of the field, and who clothes the earth 
with grass, and who feeds the young ravens when they 
cry. And the kingdom of heaven being sought after, 
and the righteousness of it, he that is here, lives out of 
the creatures up to the Creator, which distinguishes him 
from the people of the world, who take thought (which 
thoughts they live in) vjhat they shall eat, ivhat they shall 
drink, and what they shall put on. And they that be 
there, are out of the wisdom of God, which the saints are 
in, that have sought and found the kingdom of God and 
his righteousness ; which wisdom brings them to use the 
creatures to his glory ; whether they eat, or whether they 
drink, all is done to the praise and glory of God. Such 
as abide there can do nothing against the Truth, which 
Truth hath made them free indeed ; who are come into 
the kingdom of the dear Son of God, which is without 
end, who reigneth over the kingdoms of the world. 

G. F. 



GEORGE FOX, 



39 



NO. LXXXII. 

1665. 

See, that there be no slothfulness amongst you, but all 
keep in diligence and liveliness ; for he that is slothful, 
and gets the form, may have an easeful mind, but is an 
evil example. And all such must be judged with the 
Light, that they may come to know the servant's place, 
and be diligent. And such who have gone up and down 
a begging, if ye have received any such amongst you, 
with the Light which hath convinced them, see that they 
be kept in diligence, and not suffered to wander, but be 
kept in obedience to the Light, to receive the wisdom 
from God, how to labour in the creation ; and see that 
they have things decent and necessary, and their naked- 
ness covered, that no reproach nor shame may come upon 
the Truth, amongst such as are without ; but that with 
the Light all such may be condemned, who act contrary 
to it. That in the Light which condemns the world, ye 
may walk, and receive the light of the Son of God, which 
the world stumbles at, which is their condemnation, and 
in which the saints have unity. And all being kept 
diligent, and walking in the Light, there will be no sloth- 
fulness ; and then none shall have self ends in receiving 
any, but those ends shall be judged with the Light which 
is eternal. 

G. F. 

. + — ~ 

NO. LXXXIII. 

London, the 15th of the Third Month, 1655. 

Dear Friends, 

In the eternal Truth of God, ye whose minds are 
turned towards God by the light of Jesus Christ, meet 
often together in the fear of the Lord, and take heed to 



40 



EPISTLES, &G. OF 



the Light, that with it all your minds may be kept up 
to God, from whence it comes. And in all your meetings 
wait low in his fear, that ye may come to know the life 
and power of Truth one in another. And all ye whom 
the Lord hath made overseers over his church in your 
several places, be faithful to the Lord, and watch over 
the flock of Christ with all diligence : ye which are 
strong, watch over the weak, and stir up that which is 
pure one in another ; see that all your meetings be kept 
in order : be faithful unto the Lord, where He hath set 
you, and you shall not lose your reward. Servants, be 
faithful unto your masters, not with eye-service, serving 
them as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, as 
unto the Lord ; that ye may come to undo the heavy 
burdens ; being faithful in your places, where the Lord 
hath set you ; there is your right service. And take 
heed of forward minds, and of running out before your 
guide, for that leads out into looseness ; and such plead 
for liberty, and run out in their wills, and bring dis- 
honour to the Lord ; and the unbridled will gets at 
liberty, and an exalted spirit gets up, and pride and 
haughtiness, and high words. And such are they, who 
add to the burden, and do not take it off. Therefore all 
wait low in the fear of the Lord, and be not hasty nor 
rash, but see the way be made clear ; and as the Lord 
doth move you, so do, and return with speed (when ye 
have done) to the place where ye were abiding, and be 
faithful there ; that the truth of God be not evil spoken 
of through you, as they speak of vagabonds and wan- 
derers ; that it may not be so amongst you : for such are 
vagabonds and wanderers, which run before their guide. 
And, masters, rule over your servants in love, with all 
diligence and meekness, knowing that ye have one Master 
in heaven. And Friends, in all places where any do go 



GEORGE FOX. 



41 



abroad, as they do pass by, examine them, whither 
they are going, and what about ? And if they cannot 
giye a good account, exhort them to return back, and 
abide faithful in their places, until they see their way 
made clear. So farewell in the Lord. The eternal God 
of power and wisdom direct and guide you to His eternal 
praise, that His name may be honoured and glorified in 
you and through you all ! Be diligent every one in your 
places, where the Lord hath set you, for the work of the 
Lord is great ; and God Almighty keep you to be faith- 
ful labourers in his work. 

From one who is a lo ver of your souls, and -whose care is 
over the Church of God, that it may be kept in order, and 
that all that are guided by his Spirit, may be led into all 
good order. G. F, 



no. xcn. 

1655. 

All friends and brethren every where, that are im- 
prisoned for the Truth, give yourselves up in it, and it 
will make you free, and the power of the Lord will carry 
you over all the persecutors. For since the beginning 
hath this persecution got up ; therefore live and reign in 
that power, which remains when the other is gone ; and 
in that ye who are suffering for reproving sin in the gate, 
will have peace and unity with God, and one with another. 
Be faithful in the life and power of the Lord God, and be 
valiant for the Truth on the earth ; and look not at your 
sufferings, but at the power of God ; and that will bring 
some good out of all your sufferings ; and your imprison- 
ments will reach to the prisoned, that the persecutor 
prisons in himself. So be faithful in your sufferings in 
the power of the Lord, who suffer now by a false priest- 



42 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



hood for his tithes, oaths, temples, which have got up 
since the apostles' days. For as the apostles and true 
Christians suffered for denying the Jewish temple, priest- 
hood, tithes and oaths, so ye do by the false, and amongst 
the apostatized Christians, w r ho are got up since the 
apostles' days. So the power, and life, and wisdom of 
the Lord God Almighty keep you, and preserve you, to 
finish your testimony to the end, that you may witness 
every one of you a crown of life eternal, in which ye may 
sing praises to the Lord, and in that triumph ! and so, 
be faithful in that which overcomes, and gives victory. 

G. F. 

♦ 

xo. xcvn. 
To a Friend, 

1655. 

In the will of God, stand, with thy own will offered 
up, as His w T as, who said, Not my will, but thine, be done. 
And beware of striving in thy own will against the 
eternal Providence and Power, which is now working 
invisibly, cross and contrary to all the powers of dark- 
ness. And wait in the fear of the Lord, that thou mayst 
know thy dutv to the Lord, whose everlasting love is to 
thee ; whose blessing reacheth unto thee, if thou be faith- 
ful with faithful Abraham, who received the blessing, and 
to his seed after him. So beware, lest through thy for- 
wardness and rashness thou bring the curse upon thee, 
and so break thy peace and covenant with the Lord God. 
The everlasting God give thee faith in Christ Jesus, in 
whom the promise is yea and amen. 

G. F. 



GEORGE FOX. 



43 



NO. CII. 

Friends, 1655. 

Encourage not your wives nor children in the world's 
honour ; for that in you which would do so is carnal, and 
the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God. If ye 
do mind that which is of God in you, it will draw you 
up to God, out of the world's honour, and friendship, and 
words, and ways, and fellowships, and preferments, cus- 
toms and fashions, up to God's everlasting kingdom, 
where is everlasting joy for evermore. 

G. F. 

♦ 

no, cm. 

To keep to the witness of God. 
Friends, 1665. 

Take heed of darkness, or going beyond your bounds 
or limits, but keep in God's fear, that ye may receive His 
wisdom from above, that with it ye may order all things 
to His glory, answering the witness of God in every 
one, keeping in godly sincerity and simplicity, meekness, 
patience and humbleness, justice, truth, and mercy ; and 
this graceth a government, and is a praise to them that 
do well, and is a terror to them that do evil : and then 
ye will have the just weight, and measure, and balance, 
and true understanding, to answer the just principle of 
God in every one. 

Bow and submit yourselves to the power of the mighty 
God of heaven and earth, and to no deceit ; and take 
heed of bringing any into it. And take heed of respect- 
ing persons in judgment ; and that is the way to obtain 
favour from the Lord, and his blessing. From him wlio 
loves your souls 9 eternal peace and good. 

G. F. 



44 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. CIV. 

Ali friends every where, dwell in the power of the Lord 
God, and live in it ; for that brings all your souls into 
peace, into oneness, into God, from whence they come, 
who hath them all in His hand. And in the power ye 
will all come to feel the end of words, the life, from which 
all words of truth were given forth ; and all hasty, rash, 
loose, lustful spirits, the power will strike down, for they 
beget nothing to God, but go out of his dread. Therefore 
this is the word of the Lord God, and a charge unto all 
friends upon the earth, to dwell all in His power ; then 
His dread, fear, terror, and majesty will be with you, and 
amongst you all, to cleanse, wash, water, regenerate, and 
sanctify every one's vessel, who will be thereby fitted for 
the Lord's use. So that the power being lived in, it 
keeps you over all the world in the dread and majesty of 
Truth, in cleanness and newness of life; and to know the 
wrath of the Lamb against all his enemies. And the 
power of the Lord God will strike down the lust, that 
causeth pride, strife, and contention ; it will bring you to 
live in love and unity one with another, and to know the 
kingdom of the Most High, that stands in power, ruling 
in you all. And all your mortal crowns it will lay down, 
and will raise up the Seed, and bring life and immortality 
to light ; where the crown that is immortal is known, and 
the glory, that fadeth not away, is possessed. 

And all friends, in the life and power that stands in 
God, dwell, that ye may have unity with God, and one 
with another, and feel his presence among you. And the 
seed, and life, and power and wisdom of Christ, know 
in you all, and one in another. And the Lord God 
Almighty preserve you, and keep you in His power, 
life, and dominion, which lets you see Him who was in 



GEOEGE FOX. 



45 



the beginning, before the world was made ; that nothing 
may rule, but life itself ; that ye may feel God's presence 
in you and with you, that truth and life may spread 
over all the world. So the Lord God Almighty preserve 
you in the life, and power, and wisdom of God, that ye 
mav all be ordered to His glorv. 

G. F. 



NO. CV. 

Concerning the Light. 

1655. 

All friends every where, keep your meetings, waiting 
in the light which doth come from the Lord Jesus Christ; 
so will you receive power from Him, and have the re- 
freshing springs of life opened to your souls, and be kept 
sensible of the tender mercies of the Lord. And know 
one another in the life, and in the power, which comes 
from the Lord Jesus Christ, who is your Light, who is 
your Life ; that ye may all in the life see Christ to reign 
in you, who is the Truth, from whence ye have light. 
Here the old serpent is chained, and put into the bottom- 
less pit, and Christ is known to reign, and ye to reign 
with Him ; heirs with Him, joint heirs, and heirs of 
God. Here is the dominion received and witnessed of 
the world that is without end, and the promise of life 
from the Father of life, to you who are turned to the 
Son, who is the way to the Father, who is the Mediator 
between the Father and you. All wait to receive the 
everlasting Priest, the everlasting Covenant of God, of 
light, life, and peace ; into which Covenant, no sin, no 
darkness nor death comes ; but the blessing of the only 
wise God, the Father of Life, here is known, where no 
earthly man can approach. But he that is of God, knows 



46 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



God's truth ; and he that is of the devil, doth his lusts, 
who was a murderer from the beginning, in whom is no 
truth, who in it abode not. So he it is that speaks a 
lie, and speaks of himself, and not God's word ; for he is 
out of the truth. But ye that be turned to the light, 
walk in the light, walk in the truth, where no darkness 
is ; With which light, that never changeth, ye may come 
to see that which was in the beginning, before the world 
was, where there is no shadow nor darkness. In which 
light as you wait, ye will come to receive into your hearts 
the word of faith, which reconciles to God, and is as a 
hammer, to beat down all that is contrary ; and as a 
sword, to divide the precious from the vile ; and as a fire, 
to burn up that which is contrary to the precious : which 
word is pure, and endureth for ever ; which was in the 
beginning, and is now again witnessed and made manifest. 

So, friends, keep your meetings ; and as ye are moved 
of the Lord, be obedient to Him, and keep your habita- 
tions. And be not troubled : but look at that which 
giveth you to see over the world. So the Lord God 
Almighty preserve you all to his glory ! Amen. 

G. F. 

♦ 

NO, CIX. 

Friends, 1656. 

Keep to patience, this is the counsel of the Lord to 
you. Do not judge one another behind one another's 
backs, nor speak evil one of another ; for that it is which 
soweth enmity among brethren. And do not judge one 
another before the w T orld, for that it is which is in the 
extremes, passion and hastiness ; and there you do let in 
the world's spirit to rejoice over you, and that is out of 
the patience, and love, and wisdom, and fear of God and 



GEORGE FOX . 



47 



his Truth. And every one dwell in the seed and life of 
God, and in that know one another ; and meeting to- 
gether in that, ye may see the Lord Jesus in the midst 
of you. And friends, go not into the aggravating part 
to strive with it, lest you do hurt to your souls, and run 
into the same nature ; for patience must get the victory, 
and it answers to that of God in every one, and will 
bring every one from the contrary. So let your mode- 
ration, and temperance, and patience be known to all. 
And friends, keep out the worldly-wise part, which 
enters into the earth, and the apprehensions of words ; 
but let innocency be the garment, and truth and sim- 
plicity the covering : then in the innocency ye will have 
unity, where there is no evil thought, but love that 
thinks no evil. Therefore cover one another's naked- 
ness ; let all things be done in love, and that will edify : 
and let the weight and preciousness of Truth be in your 
eye, and esteemed above all things bv vou. For here is 
my grief, when I hear any thing amongst friends, that 
hinders their unity, and makes a breach, whereby the 
wrong gets ground. Therefore all ve who have known 
the power of the Lord God, and have tasted of the Seed 
of God, live in that in which ye come to have unity, 
that that part may be kept down. And the wrong eye, 
that looks out at one another's weaknesses, that must be 
kept under, even that, where the heat, and the burnings, 
and the enmity is. Therefore, if there be any naked- 
ness in any, or among any, cover that, and come all to 
the Seed of God in your own selves ; for in that is the 
virtue to heal, yea, all nations. Slaughterings, wounds, 
and cuttings are the other weapons in the other part, 
which is out of that Seed of God whose end is peace ; in 
which is the unity, which is the top-stone over all enmity, 
and bruiseth it all down. 



48 



EPISTLES. &C. OF 



/ am a lover of your souVs eternal good, peace, and 
unity, in the kingdom that stands in that power which hath 
no end, Gh F. 



no. cxni. 

To a friend in the Ministry. 

Dear Brother. 1656. 

Mind the Lord, and stand in His will and counsel. 
Look not forth at time nor place, but at thy Father's 
house, wheresoever thou art. And dwell in the pure 
measure of God in thee, and there thou wilt see the Lord 
God present with thee. For the bringing forth many 
out of prison, art thou there set ; behold, the word of the 
Lord cannot be bound. The Lord God of power giye 
thee wisdom, courage, manhood, and boldness, to thresh 
down all deceit. Dear heart, be valiant, and mind the 
pure Spirit of God in thee, to guide thee up unto God, to 
thunder down all deceit within and without. So fare- 
well ! God Almighty keep you all ! 

G. F. 

+ 



nos. cxiv. and cxv. 

Dear Brethren, 1656. 

In the mighty power of God go on, preaching the 
Gospel to every creature, and discipling them in the 
Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the 
Name of Christ preach the mighty day of the Lord, to 
all the consciences of them who have lain long in dark- 
ness and under its chain, where the light shined, but the 
darkness could not comprehend it. Go on to plant a 
vineyard, and to plough, that ye may eat the fruit 



GEORGE FOX. 



49 



thereof ; and to plant in hope, and to thresh in hope : 
that ye may be made partakers of your hope, and to 
thresh out the corn, that the wind may scatter the chaff, 
that the corn may be gathered into the barn. So, in the 
power of the Lord Jesus Christ preach the everlasting 
Gospel, that by his power the sick may be healed, the 
leprous cleansed, the dead raised, the blind eyes opened, 
and the devils cast out. In the Name of the Lord Jesus 
Christ go on, that that of God in all consciences may 
witness, that ye are sent of God, and are of God ; and 
so according to that speak, to bring up all unto the 
Head, Christ, and into the life, which gave forth the 
Scriptures ; for there is the unity, and out of it is the 
confusion. 

Sound, sound the trumpet abroad ye valiant soldiers 
of Christ's kingdom, of which there is no end ! all the 
antichrists in the kingdoms of fallen men are up in arms 
against Christ. G. F. 

NO. CXYI. 

Concerning Judging in Meetings. 
Friends, 1656. 

Do not judge one another in meetings, ye that do 
minister in the meetings ; for your so doing hath hurt 
the people, both within and without, and ye have brought 
yourselves under their judgment. And your judging 
one another in the meetings, hath emboldened others to 
quarrel, and judge you also in the meetings. And this 
hath been all out of order, and the church-order also. 
Now, if ye have any thing to say to any, stay till the 
meeting be done, and then speak to them in private 
between yourselves, and do not lay open one another's 
weakness ; for that is weakness, and not wisdom to do 



50 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



so, but is for want of love that beareth all things ; and 
therefore let it be amended. 

Friends, if any amongst you have movings to do any 
service for the Lord, when they have done it, let them 
return again with speed to their habitation, and there 
serve the Lord in their generation, that no slothfulness 
may be amongst you. But all keep in diligence, that no 
occasion may be given to any to speak evil of the Truth; 
but that ye may answer that of God in all. So, give no 
offence, for woe is to those by whom offences do come ; 
yet quench not the Sjnrit. G. F. 

■ — ♦ 

NO. CXX. 

Dear Friends, 1656. 

Exhort all your families at times and seasons, whether 
they be servants or children, that they may be informed 
in the Truth. For when ye were professors, many of 
you did exhort and instruct them in the form, when ye 
had not the power : and therefore now being brought 
into the Truth, ye should be more diligent to exhort, 
admonish, and instruct them. G. F. 

+ — — 



NO. CXXI. 

To Friends, to take care of such as suffer for atoning 
the Truth. 

Friends, 1656. 

In the wisdom and power of God dwell, by which all 
things must be ordered to his glory, in which ye may do 
all things to His glory ; and that with the wisdom of 
God ye may order and preserve the creation, and every 
thing that is good. And if any servants be convinced, 



GEORGE FOX. 



51 



and turned from their places for Truth's sake, friends to 
be tender to them, that they be not lost ; but that they 
may be preserved. And if any soldiers be put out of the 
army for Truth's sake, that they may be nourished and 
cherished ; or any children be turned from their parents, 
or believing wives from their unbelieving husbands, that 
they may be admonished to walk wisely towards them. 
And that all prisoners, that have but little of their own, 
there may be care taken for them, and for the lame and 
sick. And that, if any Friends be oppressed any manner 
of way, others may take care to help them : and that all 
may be as one family, building up one another, and 
helping one another. 

And every one be obedient to the life and power of the 
Lord God, and that will keep you from being as a wilder- 
ness ; but be faithful and still, till the winds cease, and 
the storm be over. G. F. 

♦ 



no. cxxiii. 

Dear Friends, 1656. 

In Adam in the fall are all the inward foul weather, 
storms, tempests, winds, strifes ; the whole family of it 
in confusion, being all gone from the Spirit and the wit- 
ness of God in themselves, and the power, and the light ; 
in which power, light, and Spirit, is the fellowship with 
God and one with another, through which they come out 
of Adam in the fall, into the second Adam that never 
fell, the quickener, who awakens old Adam's children out 
of their sleep of sin, and brings them out of his ways up 
unto Himself, the way, Christ ; and out of and from the 
teachers, and priests, and shepherds, &c, that change 
and fall, to the Priest, Shepherd, and Prophet, that 

d 2 



52 



EPISTLES &C. OF 



never fell or changed, nor ever will fall or change, nor 
leave the flock in the cold weather, nor in the winter, 
nor in storms or tempests ; nor doth the voice of the 
wolf frighten Him from his flock. For the Light, the 
Power, the Truth, the Bighteousness, did it ever leave 
you in any weather, or in any storms or tempests I And 
so, his sheep know his voice, and follow Him, who gives 
them life eternal abundantly ; wdio saith to all that are 
dead in Adam, / am come (mark), / am come, that ye 
(dead in Adam) might have life. 

Christ the second Adam is come, that the dead in the 
first Adam might have life, and might be quickeued ; 
and that they might be awakened to righteousness, who 
are asleep in the unrighteousness. And so, he doth 
invite all Adam's posterity to come to Him, that all 
through Him might believe, and come to light, and come 
to life, and come up into peace and rest ; for in the 
second Adam ye have peace, ye have rest. So, they 
have no peace nor rest in the old Adam in the fall ; but 
in the second Adam, Christ, that never fell, is the rest, 
and the peace, and the life. G» F. 

■ ♦ 

NO. CXXVII. 

All Friends every where, do not delight in apparel, do 
not delight in the creature more than the Creator, Trust 
not in uncertain riches, which fade and pass away ; but 
trust in the living God, and love the riches that endure, 
and fade not away. Delight not in the world that ends, 
but in the world that hath no end ; that there ye may all 
come to have an assurance of the endless life. 

Gr. F. 



GEORGE FOX. 



53 



NO. CXXVIII. 

To all Friends, to Jceep in the power of God, out of the 
cares of the world. 

All Friends, 1656. 

To that which is pure, take heed that all your minds 
may be kept up to God, who is pure ; that as the lily ye 
all may grow, and receive wisdom from God, how to use 
the creatures in their places, to the glory of Him that 
created them. For woe is unto you, that lay up for the 
latter day with covetousness ; ye act in that nature con- 
trary to the light, taking thought for to-morrow, what ye 
shall eat, and what ye shall drink, and ichat ye shall put 
on. Look at the life, which is more than food, and the 
body, which is more than raiment ; and consider the 
lilies and ravens, and who feedeth them, and clotheth 
the earth : that ye may stand in the faith, and with it 
may come to see Him who is invisible. And that keeps 
down the covetous and the fleshly principle, and that which 
would run out into the observation of days : and that 
keeps the life up, out of the earth, and keeps from trusting 
in the riches, that be uncertain, and brings to trust in 
God, who is living, who is the condemner of all the gods, 
who have eyes, and see not ; who keep people under their 
dominion from the light. But all who take heed to the 
light see God, who is living, who seeth all things. 

G. F. 

— — ♦ 

NO. CXXXI, 

1656. 

Friends every where, dwell in the power of the Lord 
God, which is without end, in which ye may all have 
unity. And take heed of striving about earthly things. 



54 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



that with the wisdom of God ye may come to be ordered, 
and order the creatures by that by which they were 
made and created, that by it ye may know yourselves to 
be governed. And after riches do increase, take heed 
of setting your hearts upon them, lest they become a 
curse and a plague to you. For when ye were faithful 
at the first, the world would refrain from you, and not 
have commerce with you ; but after, when they saw ye 
were faithful and just in things, and righteous and 
honest in your tradings and dealings, then they came to 
have commerce and trade with you the more, because 
they know ye will not cozen them, nor cheat them : then 
ye came to have greater trading, double than ever ye 
had, and more than the world. But there is the danger 
and temptation to you, of drawing your minds into your 
business, and clogging them with it ; so that ye can 
hardly do any thing to the service of God, but there will 
be crying, my business, my business ! and your minds will 
go into the things, and not over the things ; and so 
therein ye do not come into the image of God, in which 
is dominion. And so, when your minds are got into the 
riches, and cumbered therewith, ye go back into that ye 
were in before. And then if the Lord God cross you, 
and stop you by sea and land, and take your goods and 
customers from you, that your minds should not be cum- 
bered ; then that mind that is cumbered, it will fret, 
being out of the power of God, 

And all Friends, take heed of jars and strife, let not 
that harbour in your bosoms, lest it eat out the good in 
you, and ye come to suffer in your own particulars. 
Therefore dwell in love and life, and in the power and 
Seed of God, which is the honourable, royal state. And 
all that speak or preach abroad, see that ye be in the life, 
and power, and Seed of God, which will edify the body ; 



GEORGE FOX. 



55 



and not in a brittle, peevish, hasty, fretful mind ; but 
dwell in that which keeps down the contrary, that that 
may speak, which edifies the body in love. And all 
take heed of vain words, and tattling idle words, but 
every where stop such, that love may continue in the 
body, and that the Seed may spread over all, that unity 
may be kept. And all Friends every where, if Friends 
be poor, and in want, or in prison, in wisdom relieve and 
cherish such. Keep your meetings in the power of the 
Lord God, that all uncleanness whatsoever may, by the 
power of the Lord, be brought down and rooted out ; and 
that such have no rule nor authority amongst you, 
though they be never so fair or excellent of speech : but 
let all such be brought under by the power of the Lord 
God, who is to reign over it ; that in the sweetness and 
unity ye all may be brought to be a sweet savour to the 
Lord God, and in the hearts of one another. 

And all Friends every where, take heed of wronging 
the world or any one in bargains, or overreaching them. 
Take heed of slothfulness and sleeping in your meetings ; 
for in so doing ye will be bad examples to others, and 
hurt yourselves and them. And all take heed of going 
up and down (to minister) but as ye are moved of the 
Lord God, or to speak in meetings, or any other places ; 
for travelling, to such, is dangerous, to lift them up, 
going amongst settled meetings. For there is a difference 
betwixt Friends going into the world, and of coming 
among them that are come to silent meetings, and to 
feed there ; for that which may be seasonable to the 
world, may not be to them. And in the wisdom of God 
all dwell, that to Him ye may be a sweet savour, and a 
blessing in the hearts of all people ; that nothing may 
rule nor reign amongst you, but the Seed itself, and the 
life of God. G. F. 



56 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



no. cxxxvix. 

Dear Friends, 1657. 

Let God's wisdom have the stay of your minds, and 
let it be the end of all your words : beware of that spirit 
which leads out of it into any thing. There is a day 
coming, wherein some may wish that they had walked in 
wisdom, as touching the weaknesses of others ; for what 
know ye who may stand, or who may fall in the day of 
God's trial ? Then, many who have been unstable, may 
wish that they had kept their secrets in their bosoms, 
and in God's wisdom sought to restore all and not to 
scatter, as that spirit doeth which cannot bear and cover 
the weaknesses of others who are yet in the wilderness, 
where the trials are many. I have seen a great danger 
in this thing, wherefore beware of that spirit that cannot 
bear or forgive others ; for that which cannot, will dis- 
cover rather than cover i and bring a cloud over many 
wheresoever it is received, and raise the contrary in 
many, and vail the just [it may be in whole meetings,] 
for want of wisdom to be staid in the meek spirit, which 
tries all spirits, and gives clear sight of things. For 
want of this, many may be cast by and scarce ever re- 
stored again. 

Therefore I say tread over the dead, and that which 
works in that nature, and reach to the witness in all ; so 
will ye stand for God, and God will bless you in the day 
of trial. G. F. 

. * 



no. cxxxviii. 

Friends, 1657. 

Ye that are the prisoners of the Lord Jesus Christ in 
outward bonds, who witness Him by whom the world 



GEORGE FOX. 



57 



was made, who is the King of saints, and who are His. 
and come under His dominion and government, ye are 
not your oivn ; but purchased with his blood, which 
washes and makes you clean, and justifies, whose bodies 
are his temple. Though He suffers you to be imprisoned, 
yet in His power your bodies are kept, and your spirits 
also ; ye standing witnesses for your Master, for your 
King, for your Prophet, for your covenant of light, for 
your wisdom of God, (Him by whom all things were 
made,) for the word and power, by which all things were 
made and upheld against the powers of darkness, which 
cannot bind, stop, nor limit the unlimited power, which 
is over it, and comprehends it. Therefore mind the 
word of God, ye children of the Light, mind the word of 
the Lord, which is as a hammer, and as a fire, and sharper 
than a two-edged sword. And ye who are the Lord's, are 
not your own ; but they who are in their own time, see 
not the time which is in the Father's hand ; their time is 
always, and they do their own works, and not the works 
of God, which the Son of God did. G. F. 

NO. CXLI, 

To Friends, to gather up their sufferings, and lay them 
before the Judges. 

1657. 

All Friends every where, that are in any sufferings, let 
your sufferings be gathered up together in every county, 
ye that have suffered by justices, or constables, or bailiffs ; 
let your names be set to your sufferings, and a name or 
two to witness them, and the names of them that caused 
you to suffer. And after that ye have gathered up 
your sufferings in every county, in the county where the 

d 3 



58 



EPISTLES } &C. OF 



judges come, let your sufferings be laid before them who 
are sent forth from the head and heads of the nation ; 
(for a nation is to be governed as a family in justice, and 
truth, and judgment, and righteousness :) for he that is 
the head in the nation, gives forth his charge to the 
judges ; for they are all as his servants. The judges come 
forth into the several counties, and the counties are as 
their families, and they give forth their charge to the 
justices, sheriffs, juries, bailiffs, constables. The justices 
and sheriffs of the counties are to look to their places, as 
to their families ; chief constables and other constables 
in their places, as to their families : and the constable 
to look to his town, as to his family. The judges give 
charge to all in their places. Now, where these do not 
judge and do justly, where sheriffs, juries, constables, do 
not do justly, righteously, or equally; let the sufferings 
be gathered together, short and true, and an account of 
their actions that have not been just and righteous, who 
caused the righteous to suffer, and truth to fall in the 
gates, and in the streets, that equity cannot enter. 
Gather up such your sufferings in every county, that 
suffer by the unjust and unrighteous, and deliver them 
to the judges, that they may see it ; that they may 
judge justly, and see what is done in the family, to 
whom they give their charge, and what their master's 
servants have done, justices, sheriffs, constables. And 
if the judge that sits in the gate will not judge righte- 
ously, nor plead the cause of the innocent, nor help the 
helpless, nor break the jaws of the wdcked, that tear and 
rend the innocent, God, who is just, is ready to plead 
their cause, and to judge and cast out the unjust judges. 

And let a copy of all your sufferings, which are 
delivered to the judges in every county, be kept, and 
sent up to him that is the head in the nation, who sends 



GEORGE FOX. 



59 



forth the judges as his servants, that he may see, mea- 
sure, and weigh, how unrighteously they have judged, 
and what his servants have done, who cause the dividing 
of his family. So that these things being laid upon the 
heads of the nation, they may feel and see that God's 
judgments are just ; and will come upon them, if they do 
not judge justly, and do not measure righteously, and do 
not weigh truly. G. F. 


NO. CXLVIII. 

An Exhortation to fervent Prayer and stedfast Faith, in 
time of the greatest troubles and exercises. 

1657. 

my dear friends and brethren every where ! let all 
your cries and prayers be to the Lord in singleness of 
heart, in his Spirit and power, and in belief in God 
through Christ, to receive what ye pray for ! For the 
Lord's ears are open to the cries of His poor and afflicted 
ones. So, day and night let your cries be to Him, who 
will keep you in all distresses. For in your afflictions 
Christ is afflicted, and in all your oppressions He is 
oppressed, and in all your imprisonments He is im- 
prisoned, and in all your sufferings He suffereth, and in 
all your persecutions He is persecuted : Saul, Saul, why 
persecutest thou Me? said Christ. 

And be moderate and chaste in all your families, and 
in all your imprisonments keep in the fast to the Lord, 
which breaks down the bond of iniquity, by which every 
one's health groweth. And ye may also see, how Christ 
Jesus encourages to pray, (Mark xiii.) " Take ye heed, 
watch and pray : and what I say unto one, I say unto 
all, watch." And in Luke xi. 5—13, wherein He further 
encourages to pray, where Christ saith : " Which of you 



60 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, 
and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves, for a 
friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have 
nothing to set before him. And he from within shall 
answer and say : Trouble me not, the door is now shut, 
and my children are with me in bed, I cannot rise and 
give thee. I say unto you, though he will not rise, and 
give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his 
importunity he will rise, and give him as many as he 
needeth. And I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given 
you : seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be 
opened unto you : for every one that asketh receiveth ; 
and he that seeketh findeth ; and to him that knocketh it 
shall be opened. " And upon this Christ encourages to 
knock, pray and seek : for " if a son shall ask bread of 
any of you, that is a father, will he give him a stone? 
Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent ; 
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion % 
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto 
your children, how much more shall your Heavenly 
Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.'' 
And further he encourages to pray, Luke xviii. " He 
spake a parable unto them, that men ought always to pray, 
and not to faint, saying : There was in a city a judge, that 
feared not God, neither regarded man. And there was 
a widow in that city, and she came to him, and said, 
avenge me of mine adversary ; and he would not for a 
while. But afterwards he said within himself, Though 
I fear not God, nor regard man ; yet because this widow 
troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual 
coming she weary me. And the Lord said, hear what the 
unjust judge saith ; and shall not God avenge his own 
elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though he bear 
long with them ? I tell you, that He will avenge them 



GEORGE FOX. 



61 



speedily/' Here mind the promise of Christ, that doth 
not change, but will be fulfilled. 

And Christ distinguishes in a parable between a 
pharisee, who was a public praying man, and a publican, 
that stood afar off, and cried for mercy ; who, being in 
the fear, was more justified than the pharisee, who was 
in the public praying. So pray in the Spirit and in the 
faith, nothing wavering nor doubting. And seek and 
watch in the spirit, every one in your measures that ye 
have received, and therein to be preserved ; and Christ 
the life will open to you. So ask in faith, that gives the 
victory over the wavering, doubting nature. And what- 
soever ye ask believing, it will be given unto you ; it is 
Christ's promise, John xiv. 13, 14. For Christ saith, 
" Whatsoever ye ask in my name, that will I do, that 
the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask 
any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep 
my commandments." So, every one's prayers are assured 
unto them, and their requests effectual in their obedience, 
and loving Christ, and keeping his commandments. 

G. F. 

* 

NO. CLI. 

Friends, 1657. 

There was a time, when the apostles preached Christ 
that died at Jerusalem ; and they witnessed Him forth, 
and brought for proof the prophets' testimonies, which 
prophesied of Him. And they that preached Christ's 
sufferings at Jerusalem, showed the fulfilling of the pro- 
phets and the law, and all that was written of Him. And 
afterwards the apostles preached Christ the substance (the 
end of the types and figures) amongst them that had the 
prophets' words, and the law, and the outward temple ; 



62 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



and they showed them out of the prophets' words, and 
out of the law, that that was the Christ, who died at 
Jerusalem, and suffered without the gate. 

And then there was a time, that the apostles preached 
Christ in them, to them that did believe, and had received 
Him : Know ye not that Christ is in you, except ye he 
reprobates ? And, Christ in you the hope of glory : and, 
If Christ be in you the body is dead : and, They that are 
Christ s ham crucified the affections and lusts, and all 
things are become new. But this was spoken to them 
that believed, who were the saints ; to them Christ in 
them was preached, the substance of what the prophets 
prophesied of ; and to believe in Him who was risen, the 
resurrection : but to the world the apostles preached 
repentance, and to believe in Jesus Christ ; and taught 
faith towards God. But to them who were redeemed out 
of the world, in and to whom the Son of God was made 
manifest, (who were brought to God, the J udge of all, 
and to the church in God, and to the innumerable com- 
pany of angels, and to the spirits of just men, who were 
made perfect in Him through faith towards God,) preach- 
ing repentance and the doctrine of baptism was needless, 
in whom it was fulfilled, to and in such as were brought 
to God : He that can receive this, may, for to it there is 
no private meaning. 

There is a time of preaching faith towards God ; and 
there is a time to be brought to God : but such as 
are here, deny the first priesthood, and witness the 
second with the Eternal Spirit of God ; who witnessed 
Him without father or mother, a priest for ever, after 
the order of Melchisedech. G. F. 



GEORGE FOX, 



63 



NO. CLIII. 

To Friends beyond Sea, that have Blacks and Indian 
Slaves. 

Dear Friends, 1657. 

I am moved to write these things to you in all the 
plantations. God that made the world, and all things 
therein, and giveth life and breath to all, is the God of 
the spirits of all flesh, and is no respecter of persons ; but 
whosoever feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is 
accepted of Him. And He hath made all nations of 
one blood, to dwell upon the face of the earth, and his 
eyes are over all the works of his hands, and seeth every 
thing that is done under the whole heavens ; and the 
earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. And He 
causeth the rain to fall upon the just and upon the unjust, 
and also He causeth the sun to shine upon the just and 
the unjust ; and He commands to love all men ; for 
Christ so loved all, that He died for sinners. And this 
is God's love to the world, in giving his Son into the 
world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish. 
And He doth enlighten every man that cometh into the 
world, that they might believe in the Son. And the 
gospel is preached to every creature under heaven ; which 
is the power that giveth liberty and freedom, and is glad 
tidings to every captivated creature under the whole 
heavens. And the word of God is in the heart and 
mouth. For Christ is given for a covenant of the people, 
and a light to the Gentiles, and to enlighten them ; who 
is the glory of Israel, and God's salvation to the ends of 
the earth. And so, ye are to have the mind of Christ, 
and to be merciful, as your Heavenly Father is merciful. 

G. F. 



6i EPISTLES, &C. OF 

nos. clxi. and clxii. 
Friends! 1658. 

Do not die from the good, through the wantonness of 
fleshly lusts, neither be choked with the cares of this 
life, nor fear the shearers, neither let the heat scorch 
your green blade ; but dwell under the shadow of the 
Almighty, who will shade you from the heat and cold. 
Neither be cumbered nor surfeited with the riches of this 
world, nor bound, nor straitened with them, nor married 
to them; but be free and loose from them, and be mar- 
ried to the Lord. The sufferings in all ages of the 
righteous and just were, because they could not join to 
the nation's vain worships, evil customs, rudiments, tra- 
ditions, and carnal inventions, but joined to the Lord, 
and not to them ; and therefore they suffered, and kept 
single to the Lord God in following Him and his Truth, 
and living in it, the Amen, the crown, life, virtue, and 
righteousness, that floweth over all, in which the righteous 
have peace. 

When ye do judge of matters, or when ye do judge of 
words, or when ye do judge of persons, all these are dis- 
tinct things. A wise man will not give both his ears to 
one party, but reserve one for the other party, and will 
hear both, and then judge. Gr. F. 



NO. CLXVI. 

Dear Friends, 1658. 

My love is to you all. Live in the Truth, which ye 
first received ; that it may be your crown, and your 
clothing. And dwell in love, and peace, and unity one 
with another in the Truth of Grod, which the devil is out 



GEORGE FOX. 



65 



of: and keep your meetings in the Name of Christ Jesus, 
that never fell ; and then ye will see over all the gather- 
ings in the fall. And all know one another in Him, who 
is the substance, and Him to be your Way and Teacher, 
Priest and Prophet ; and then ye will see over all the 
false ways, prophets, priests, and teachers. Be faithful 
to God, every one in your measure of light, life, and 
truth ; and keeping your habitations in the Truth, and 
in the light and life, then ye will see over Adam and 
Eve, their sons and daughters' habitations in the fall, 
who cannot abide the truth, light, and life in the inward 
parts. Therefore they are not in peace one with another, 
being not in the habitation that Adam was in before he 
fell, nor in Christ, that never fell, in whom the saints sit 
down, in the life, Christ, who was toith the Father lefore 
the world legan. 

And so, live ~ in the substance, which is the Seed, 
Christ, who ends the prophets, first covenant, first priest- 
hood, and all the types, and figures, and shadows given 
after the fall. G. F. 

no. clxvii. 

My Dear Friends, ] 658. 

Be not carried away by good words and fair speeches, 
nor the affectionate part, which is taken with them ; but 
every one have hold of the Truth in yourselves, and the 
life, and light, and power of the Most High, by which 
ye may be staid upon Christ, your bread of Life: He 
is the staff of your heavenly and eternal life. Now 
Friends, who have denied the world's songs and singing, 
sing ye in the spirit and with grace, making melody in 
your hearts to the Lord. And ye having denied the 
world's formal praying, pray ye always in the spirit, and 



66 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



watch in it. And ye that have denied the world's giving 
of thanks, and their saying of grace, and living out of it ; 
do ye in every thing give thanks to the Lord through 
Jesus Christ. And ye that have denied the world's 
praising God with their lips, whilst their hearts are afar 
off, do ye always praise the Lord night and day, and 
from the rising of the sun to the going; down of the same, 
praise ye the Lord. And ye that have denied the world's 
fastings, and their hanging dozen their head like a bulrush 
for a dmj, who smite with the fist of wickedness, keep ye 
the fast of the Lord, that breaks the bond of iniquity, 
and lets the oppressed go free ; that your health may 
grow, and your light may shine as the morning. 

" G. F. 

■ ♦ 

XO. CLXXI. 

Of Persecution. 

1659. 

Forgive us. as ice forgive them, cry Papists, cry Epis- 
copalians, cry Presbyterians, and Baptists and Inde- 
pendents ; these cry and say the Lord's prayer ; Forgive 
us our debts and trespasses, as ice forgive them that tresjxiss 
against us ; and then, like a company of senseless men, 
without understanding, fall a fighting one with another 
about their trespasses and debts, and never mind what 
they prayed ; as though they never looked for forgive- 
ness, and to receive the things which they had prayed for. 

They pray, Forgive us, Lord, as ice forgive them ; and 
fall a persecuting and imprisoning one another, and 
taking their brethren and fellow-servants by the throat 
about religion, and will not forgive ; but say their 
prayers, as the pharisees of old did the Scriptures, and 



GEORGE FOX. 



67 



obeyed them not. And this hath been their work since 
the apostles 1 days. The apostles and Christ did not bid 
that any should kill about their words, but that they 
should love enemies. 

They know not what spirit they are of that persecute, 
and would have men's lives destroyed about their church, 
worship, and religion ; for Christ said, He came not to 
destroy mens lives, but to save them. They would destroy 
by a law as the disciples would have done by prayer, to 
command fire to come down from heaven to destroy 
them that would not receive Christ ; which sort Christ 
rebuked, and told them, that they did not know what 
spirit they were of. And now, if they did not know what 
spirit they were of, do these, who have persecuted about 
the church and religion, since the apostles' days, who 
would compel men's bodies, goods, lives, souls, and estates 
into their hands by a law, or else make them suffer \ 
These that would destroy men's lives are not the 
ministers of Christ, the Saviour. G-, F, 



NO. CLXXV. 

To Friends to serve one another in love, in outward things, 

My dear Friends, 1659. 

In the order and wisdom of life order all things to 
God's glory, and dwell in the love of God together, all 
serving one another in love, and in the life of the Truth ; 
and ye that give to the poor, lend to the Lord, and He will 
give you again with advantage. And so, be ye fruitful in 
every good work, and be subject one to another in the fear 
of the Lord, and do that which ye do, in love and peace ; 
and in that keep in the authority and power of God, in 
kindness. And keep down, and be master over all pas- 



68 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



sion, and the hasty and cross spirits, and silence that 
which is sudden ; and let love have the pre-eminence in 
all and over all. And provoke one another to love and 
to good works, and be diligent in all your places ; that ye 
may be a good savour in the hearts of all, and that the 
Truth may flow over all. And encourage one another to 
seek out the poor, and sick, and fatherless, and widow, 
and imprisoned, and make up their necessities and 
wants ; then there will be nothing lacking. And keep 
in discerning, that ye may not be ensnared, nor made a 
prey upon ; but that in the power and wisdom of God 
ye may be kept over all such, and to feel through all 
states and conditions. That the Lord God may be 
honoured in and by you all, and ye all may be preserved 
in his power and life to his glory. For your bestowing 
of outward things to such as stand in need, is the least 
love, and things of little value, in comparison to the 
things that are above and immortal. And so, keep over 
all in which ye have the blessing poured upon you from 
the Lord God, to clothe and cover you. G, F. 

— — * 

NO. CLXXXI. 

P.S. If any Friends have friends or relations beyond 
sea, send them books or papers, and be diligent to spread 
the Truth ; and send Latin books, or French books, or 
other books to Leghorn, France, Poland, Italy, Norway, 
Low Countries, &c. 

r * 

no. clxxxvi. 

Friends, 1659. 

Which have known and tasted of the power of the 
mighty God of heaven and earth, and of his light and 



GEORGE FOX. 



69 



life, be faithful in the power, light, life, and truth, to the 
spreading of the Truth abroad ; with which ye may 
answer the truth in the inward parts in every one. And 
dwell in that which binds and chains, and gives to see 
over the world; that life, wisdom, and power may reign 
among you. Be faithful, and spread the Truth abroad, 
and walk in the wisdom of God ; answering that of God 
in every one : and write, speak, and send books abroad 
into the countries, and islands, and nations, or main land, 
as ye are moved ; that the sound of the trumpet of the 
LoixTs host may be heard in the nations and islands. 
So, the God of love, life, and power, and wisdom be with 
.you ? And ye that are turned to the Light, and gathered 
into it, meet together, and keep your meetings, that ye 
may feel and see the life of God among you, and know 
that in one another ; for that keeps down and lays low 
all that which is out of the kingdom. They who are 
turned to the Light, Christ Jesus, to the Immanuel, they 
know the interpretation thereof, God with us ; who 
redeems out of transgression, and out of death, darkness, 
and sin. G. F. 



xo. CLXXXVII. 

My dear Friexds, 1659. 

Dwell in the love of God together, for that edifies you 
all, and by that ye are built up ; and who go from that, 
pluck down with enmity and discord, and wrangling, and 
quarrelling and disputing ; and are puffed up with high 
swelling words, and are large in their worldly wisdom 
and earthly knowdedge in a show T , to tread upon the 
simple; and are of the great comprehension. Therefore 
keep over that spirit, for it will not stand to the 
end, although it would be lord ; it is scorched when 
the heat of persecution comes. G. F. 



70 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. CLXXXIX. 

To Friends in New England and Virginia. 

My dear Friends, 1659, 

Eobert Hodson, William Robinson, Marmaduke 
Stevenson, Peter Pearson, William Brend, William 
Ledra, and the rest of Friends in New-England and 
Virginia, be faithful to the Lord in the truth of the 
Lord God, and in His power and wisdom be valiant for 
it upon the earth, and spread it abroad, and confound 
deceit. And go on in peace, and love, and unity one 
with another, and keep in the wisdom of the Lord God ; 
that ye may be answerable to the witness in every one 
to whom ye preach. And to all nations of mankind the 
everlasting Gospel, the power of God, is to be preached, 
through which life and immortality shall come to light ; 
in which power is the fellowship. Therefore this is the 
word of the Lord God to you all, those that are convinced 
by the power of the Lord God, and the light, let them 
dwell in it, in which they may have unity. For the Lord 
hath a Seed that ways, if ye in patience all of you wait, 
and do not matter the weather, the storms, the winds, the 
hail, the rain, wherein ye are to sow the seed, nor the 
rough ground, that is to be tilled. For the husband- 
man waits patiently, after the seed is sown ; there is a 
winter, before the summer comes. And there must be a 
great work, before the misty heathen be cleared in their 
understandings, (that are so naturally,) and the dark air 
be driven back, and the Prince of Life and Light be 
witnessed. So, live in patience and in peace, and in the 
weighty wisdom of God, and then ye will see the end of 
all frothy spirits, that will not abide the trial. 

G. F. 



GEORGE FOX. 



71 



P.S. — The Lord is king over all the earth, and Christ 
hath all power in heaven and in the earth ; and He is 
King of kings and Lord of lords : let Him rule and 
reign in all your hearts by faith, and exalt Him in the 
land, and in your assemblies. 



NO. CXCIV. 

Dear Friexds, 1660. 

Who have found the better part, and chosen the 
better thing, the one thing, which lasteth for ever, which 
is the ground of all true rejoicing and joy, in whom ye 
have all riches and life, and the blessings, and the 
immortal power to be your crown and covering. And it 
may be, there will be a time of shearing and clipping; 
but the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. So 
mind Him to be your portion, and the Seed of Christ 
your all, and your Life ; and fear not loosing the fleece, 
for it will grow again. And keep in the worship of the 
Father in the Spirit and in the Truth, which the devil is 
out of, and in that ye will live in the Truth and Spirit 
in yourselves, and walk in unity in the same ; and then 
ye are over all the will-worships in the fall of Adam. And 
as the outward Jew suffered by the outward Egyptians 
and Babylonians, and they persecuted them, and killed 
their children ; so the spiritual Egyptians and mystery 
Babylon persecute and would kill the Jews in spirit, 
that worship God in the spirit, whose praise is of God, 
and not of man ; and such have none from fallen men, 
but by them are persecuted. But all such go, as dumb 
before their shearers ; for He that gave his back and 
his cheek to the smiters, overcame and reigns, and hath 
the victory and the honour, who is Christ, the Amen, the 



72 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



First and Last, the Top and Corner-Stone ; in Him sit 
down in life, and peace, and rest. G. F. 

+ 

NO. CXCYI. 

Dear Friends, 1660. 

In Jamaica and elsewhere, who know the Truth of 
Cod, and have been sufferers for the same, all live in it, 
that ye may all be preserved in peace and freedom. For 
Truth brings to the noble mind, spirit, and nature, and 
Seed, which never will bend to sin and unrighteousness, 
nor ungodliness whatsoever, nor to the author of it. And 
therefore all walk in the Truth, that ye may all come 
to honour the Lord God in your lives and conversations, 
in your words and dealings, doing truly, justly, and 
righteously unto all people ; that God may be glorified 
amongst you. And that ye may come to be as lights to 
the world, and the countries about you, so that by your 
Light they may come to walk out of their dark, unrigh- 
teous, ungodly, and corrupt ways, which the corrupt 
people w T alk in. And therefore all mind that, in which 
ye may honour God, and his holy Name, into which ye 
are called ; that ye may answer the Lord God for all his 
tender mercies and great riches, that He hath plentifully 
manifested and enriched you withal. That the love 
of God may fill your hearts, which hath abundantly been 
shed in you ; that so it may abound one towards another, 
and to all the creatures of God, for their good ; that they 
may come to the way of life and peace, and that they 
seeing your good w T orks, may glorify your Father which 
is in heaven. And so, let truth, righteousness, holiness, 
pureness, and justness be your jewels, and in your eyes 
esteemed above all ; fori-unrighteousness, unholiness, un- 
godliness, is but dross, and is not of God nor Christ. 



GEORGE FOX. 



73 



And therefore live in the Truth ; and in this ye will have 
fellowship with God, with Christ, and one with another. 
And so no more, but my love. Things here are well, and 
meetings are quiet and large in this nation, and this part 
of the world. Farewell. 

Ye may write unto us, and let us know how things are 
with you. G. F. 

♦ 

NO. CC. 

The Line of Righteousness and Justice stretched forth 
over all Merchants, fyc. 
All Friends every where, 1661. 

Govern and order with God's wisdom all the creatures 
that ye have under you, and all exchangings, merchan- 
dizing, husbandry. Do what ye do in the wisdom of 
God, and with it, which is pure from above, and gentle, 
and easy to be entreated. With this wisdom (which is 
not earthly, sensual, nor devilish) you do good unto 
all, and hurt no one, nor yourselves ; for it is pure 
and preserves pure. 

So, this is the word of the Lord God to you all ; keep 
all in the power of God over all the unrighteous world. 
In which power of God ye will be preserved in justice, 
in Truth, in equal balance, and weights, and measures, 
uprightness and honesty to all people. So all here in 
this are serviceable to God in their generation, and to the 
creation. Do rightly, that is the word of the Lord God 
to you all, whether ye be tradesmen, of what calling or 
profession, or sort soever, or husbandmen : do rightly, 
justly, truly, holily, equally to all people in all things ; 
and that is according to that of God in every man, and 
the witness of God, and the wisdom of God, and the 

E 



74 



EPISTLES, SvC. OF 



life of God in yourselves ; and there ye are serviceable 
in your generation, labouring in the thing that is good, 
which doth not spoil, nor destroy, nor waste the creation 
upon the lusts. 

And all merchants whatsoever, seamen, and traffickers 
by sea or land ; this is the word of the Lord God to you 
all : do justly, speak truly to all people whatsoever : then 
are ye a dread and a terror to the unjust. Wrong no 
man, over-reach no man, (if it may be never so much to 
your advantage,) but be plain, righteous, and holy ; in 
this are ye serviceable to your own nation and others, by 
your chancre and exchanging of things and merchandize, 
and to the Lord God ye come to be a blessing in the 
creation and generation. Lvce in the life of Truth, and 
let the Truth speak in all things, and righteousness ; and 
let justice he acted, and holiness in all things, icithout any 
guile, fraud, or deceit ; so, that is well pleasing to God 
and men, and according to that of God in every one. 
And this showeth forth the fruits of believers, that are 
passed from death to life ; from death, which came by sin, 
the original of which is the devil. Now, in the Truth 
and righteousness ye will all have peace, favour, and 
the blessing of the Lord in all things. And that keepeth 
out the covetous mind, and covetous desires ; that which 
keepeth over this, hath the blessing and increase of the 
heavenly riches ; and shall not want the creatures, nor 
will the Lord withhold any good thing from them. So, 
be careful to do good in all things to all people whatso- 
ever : in the fear of God serve Him, and be diligent, 
and not stubborn in any thing, but pliable in the power 
of God, that keeps you over all the powers of unrighte- 
ousness ; acting so in that, that ye may be a good savour 
in all nations, islands, and places where ye come, in the 
hearts of all people ; doing truly and plainly, uprightly. 



GEORGE FOX. 



75 



faithfully, justly, and honestly, according to the Light of 
Christ Jesus in every man ; that ye may witness to all. 
Then will your words, lives, and conversations preach 
and manifest, that ye serve God in the new r life ; and 
that ye have put off the old man and his deeds, which 
are unrighteous ; and that ye have put on the New Man, 
which is renewed after God in righteousness and holiness, 
according to his image. 

Loathe deceit and all unrighteousness, hard-hearted- 
ness, wronging, cozening, cheating or unjust dealing ; 
but live and reign in the righteous life and power of God, 
and wisdom, that presseth all the other down, and to 
answer the good and just principle in all people ; and 
that w r ill win people to deal with you, doing truth to all, 
without respect to persons ; to high or low, young or old, 
rich or poor : and so here your lives and words will 
preach wherever ye come. 

All husbandmen and dealers about husbandry whatso- 
ever, cattle or ground, to you all this is the word of the 
Lord God ; do rightly, holily, justly, honestly, plainly 3 
and truly to all men and people, whomsoever ye have to 
deal withal ; wrong not any in any case, though it be 
never so much to your advantage. Deny yourselves, 
and live in the cross of Christ, the power of God, for 
that destroys injustice ; and without holiness none can 
ever see the Lord ; and out of righteousness there is no 
true peace. Therefore all, of what sort soever, or what 
calling soever, do justly, whether ye be masters or 
servants, fathers or mothers, sons or daughters, to one 
another, and to all, do that which is just and righteous, 
uprightly and holily ; in that you will have peace, and 
see God. 

So in all husbandry, speak truth, act truth, doing 
justly and uprightly in all your actions, in all your 

e 2 



76 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



practices, in all your words, in all your dealings, buyings, 
sellings, changings, and commerce with people, let Truth 
be the head, and practice it. This brings righteousness 
forth, and deceit to the judgment bar. In this ye answer 
the Light of Christ in every one, and are blessings to 
the Lord God, and to your generation ye are service- 
able ; and come to walk in the new Life, in which the 
righteous, holy God is served. In which righteousness 
ye have peace ; and in which holiness ye see God: for 
the kingdom of God stands in righteousness, peace, and 
joy in the Holy Ghost. 

So all friends of what calling soever, dwell in the 
power of God, and feel the power of God, and the light 
of Christ Jesus ; dwell in that, act in that ; that ye may 
answer that of God in every one upon the earth, with 
your actions, and by your conversations, and by your 
words, being right, just, and true. This goes over the 
unjust, untrue, unholy, and unrighteous in the whole 
world ; and reacheth to the good and true principle of 
God in all people, which tells them when they do not do 
equally, justly, righteously, and holily. So, let your 
lives preach, let your light shine, that your works may 
be seen, that your Father may be glorified; that your 
fruits may be unto holiness, and that your end may be 
everlasting life. 

And all, of what trade or calling soever, keep out of 
debts : owe to no man any thing but love. Go not be- 
yond your estates, lest ye bring yourselves to trouble, 
and cumber, and a snare ; keep low and down in all 
things ye act. For a man that would be great, and goes 
beyond his estate, lifts himself up, runs into debt, and 
lives highly on other men's means ; he is a waster of 
other men's, and a destroyer. He is not serviceable to 
the creation, but a destroyer of the creation and creatures, 



GEORGE FOX. 



77 



and eumbereth himself and troubleth others, and is lifted 
up. He would appear to be somebody ; but being gone 
from the honest, the just and good, falls into the shame. 
Therefore dwell every one of you (that know redemption 
from the earth) under your own vine, and seek not to be 
great, but in that ; and dwell in the truth, justice, 
righteousness, and holiness ; and there is the blessing 
enlarged. 

So in that power, wisdom, and strength, that gives you 
dominion over all, and to answer that of God in all, the 
love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ preserve and 
keep you all in his wisdom, life, seed, and dominion, that 
to Him ye may be a blessing, and a good savour in the 
hearts of all people. And let all your actions and words 
be one with the witness of God in all people. Amen. 

And let none be negligent in their business, but give 
an account by words or writings, how things are with 
them, when others write to them ; so that none may 
wrong one another in these outward things, nor oppress 
one another, but be serviceable one to another, keeping 
their words, (their going into things beyond their ability 
makes them break their words,) keeping within their 
compass with that which they may answer others, lest 
any should be lifted up. For it is a bad thing to be 
lifted up, and to make a noise and a show for a time with 
other people's goods, and not to be able to keep their word, 
their promise, their clay ; such may be lifted up for a time, 
and break and fall, and go out as a stench, and bring a 
great dishonour to Christ and true Christians. And 
therefore, keeping your word, your day, and keeping your 
just measure, your just weight, that keeps down the op- 
pression. And by keeping to that just measure and 
weight, and to your word and day, by the power of God 
and his Spirit in your own hearts, there the blessing is 



78 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



doubled, there ye come to be rich, and ye are a good savour 
to God, and in the hearts of all people. 

So every one strive to be rich in the life, and in the 
kingdom and things of the world that hath no end ; for 
he that covets to be rich in the things of this world, falls 
into many snares, and hurtful lusts. And therefore let 
him that buys, or sells, or possesses, or uses this world, 
be, as if he did not. Let them be masters over the world 
in the power and Spirit of God, and let them know, that 
they owe no man any thing but love ; yet serve God in 
truth, and one another in their generation. 

For, friends, if ye be not faithful in the outward 
treasure, and outward mammon, who will trust you with 
the true treasure ? Or who can believe that ye have the 
true treasure, but that ye speak by hearsay of it ? So, I 
say to you all, see that ye are faithful in this outward 
mammon, this outward treasure of the things of this life, 
of this world, faithful to your word, faithful to your days, 
faithful to your promises, in all your tradings, traffickings, 
bargainings, true and just, and righteous and honest in 
these outward treasures or mammon, concerning the 
things of this world, of this life, of these outward riches. 

G. F. 

P.$. — Holiness becomes the house of God : so all God's 
people, his children, his saints must be holy, as He is 
holy ; and therefore do that which is holy and just in all 
your lives and conversations. And whatsoever ye do, let 
it be done to the praise and glory of God ; mark that : 
have God's praise and glory in your eye in all your speak- 
ings and doings, then ye will be preserved to his glory, 
and then ye will honour him ; and those that honour him, 
he will honour and beautify, and clothe with the fine 
linen, the righteousness of Christ, that men may not see 
your nakedness. For God will have a holy people to 



GEORGE FOX. 



79 



serve him in holiness ; a true people to serve him in 
truth, and in his Spirit, and in his new and living way, 
above all the dead ways, that are come by sin and un- 
righteousness, and transgression of his Spirit, and power, 
and command. So all ye that know his Power and Spirit, 
live in it, that ye may glorify God in all your lives, and 
conversations, and words, that ye may answer that of 
God in all ; that ye may glorify God in your bodies, 
souls, and spirits, which are his, who hath made them, 
and gives them to you for that end. To whom be glory 
and honour for ever, who created all for his glory and 
for his honour. So the Lord God Almighty keep and 
preserve you faithful in all things to his glory and honour 
for ever ! 

He that walkeih in his integrity is just ; and Messed 
shall he his children after him. — Pro v. xx. 7. 

Unjust iveights, and unjust measures, loth these are an 
abomination to the Lord. — verse 10. 



no. ccvm. 

1661 

All ye prisoners of the Lord for his Truth's sake, and 
for keeping the testimony of Jesus Christ, against all the 
inventions, traditions, rudiments, will- worships, feigned 
humilities, and self-righteousnesses, that are in the fall ; 
your patience must overcome all the rough spirits in the 
world, and your love must bear all things. For patience, 
which runs the race, obtains the crown which is im- 
mortal. So be meek and low, then ye follow the ex- 
ample of Christ, and come to bear the image of the just, 
who suffered by the unjust ; and put on his righteousness, 
who suffered by the unrighteous ; whose back was struck, 
his hair plucked off, and his face spit upon, and who yet 



80 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



cried, Father, forgive them ! Here he kept his dominion, 
who though a sufferer had the victory ; which the fol- 
lowers of the Lamb do in measure attain to. So, put on 
courage; put on patience. Let your loyalty be known 
for your king, that hath conquered the devil, death, and 
hell; in walking in righteousness, peace, and Truth, 
feeling the power of God preaching and reaching the 
witness of God in every one, when words are not uttered. 

G. F. 

* ■ 

NO. CCXVI. 

To Friends in New England, and the Islands beyond 

sea. 

1662. 

To all my dear friends and brethren, among whom the 
precious truth and power of God hath been declared, and 
joyfully received ; whose belief, confidence, and inno- 
cency is spread abroad ; who are come to the vine, Christ 
Jesus, that is your shade ; whom bonds and death have 
not dismayed, for the worth of Truth's sake. And 
fetters, irons, whippings, stripes, and spoilings of goods, 
and the like cruelties and persecutions, have not daunted 
you, whose courage, valiantness, and boldness for the 
Truth, hath much appeared among a crooked and perverse 
generation, that professed Christ, and among whom He 
hath not so much place of entertainment as in their 
manger in the outward ; whose hearts are dens of dragons 
and places of darkness, and whose religion and profession 
they have shamed, being unfruitful in the ways of God 
and Christ, workers of darkness, whose iniquity hath 
flourished, and sins sprung up as the grass ; that their 
folly and shame might cover them, and that they might 
be confounded in their iniquity. 



GEORGE FOX. 



31 



So ye, in the power of the Lord God, in his might, 
and strength, that brings your salvation, stand ; in which 
power and arm ye see over that which brought destruc- 
tion ; in which power (that is the gospel) life and 
immortality come to light, and captivate that which hid 
life and immortality. And then is the gospel, that is 
everlasting, preached unto all nations of mankind, and to 
all that are driven out from God in the power of dark- 
ness; to the intent that they may all come up again to 
God, and have life and immortality brought to light by 
his Almighty power ; which expels death and darkness. 
And so, all ye that have tasted of the power, sit down 
under your own vine, and abide in it ; then will ye bring 
forth fruit through the power of God and Christ Jesus, 
who is the Vine. Therefore every one receive Christ the 
Light, that hath enlightened you, and ye shall feel the 
power, in which Light ye shall all have fellowship ; which 
Light will give every one of vou the knowledge of the 
glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus, your Saviour. 
And in the power of the Lord God, which hath gathered 
you over the powers of darkness, and all the meetings 
therein, in that power of God which is everlasting, live, 
and keep your meetings ; in that ye may feel fulness of 
life and wisdom from above, by which ye may all be 
ordered to God's glory, and order all things under your 
hands to his honour. Through which wisdom ye may 
be a blessing to the Lord God in your generation, and a 
sweet savour to him in the hearts of all people upon the 
earth ; yea, of the very heathen, to bring them to the 
Light, which Christ Jesus hath enlightened them withal ; 
that they may come to the knowledge of the same salva- 
tion or condemnation. 

Work ye and labour in the power of the Lord God, 
that lives for ever ; in it make vineyards and plantations, 

e 3 



82 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



to the renewing of people's minds in the light and power 
of God, and the knowledge of Christ Jesus ; turning them 
from the enmity and the darkness (the power of Satan) 
to the light, and to God, that they may be renewed into 
his image and likeness ; that the image of the devil, and 
his likeness, may be defaced, which is gotten up in the 
hearts of men and people, since the beginning in trans- 
gression. So, bring them to the Great Sacrifice, the 
Lord Jesus Christ, the Seed of the woman, who offered 
up Himself for the sin of the world; the Top-stone, 
which is laid over all, who is restoring by his power, who 
hath all power in heaven and earth. 

So spread the Truth abroad, and be valiant for it upon 
the earth, improve your talent, and be the wise virgins, 
with oil in your lamps ; that ye may enter in with the 
bridegroom. Have salt in yourselves, that ye may 
savour all things, and keep your consciences clean and 
pure unto God and all men. Live in the cross of Christ, 
and rejoice in it, which is the power of God. And so, 
ye who are heirs of the power of a world that hath no 
end, and a kingdom that is everlasting, sit down in your 
inheritances ; that ye may increase in the everlasting, in 
the blessing, and in heavenly riches. 

And though the oppressors of the earth will not let you 
have a foot of ground, yet ye have the power of God to 
stand in ; and so ye that are heirs of that, and Christ 
Jesus, whose the earth is, and all things therein, and are 
in the power of God separated from the power of dark- 
ness, the devil, and who are come into that which was 
before he was, ye have nothing to lose, for all yours is the 
Lord's. G. F. 



GEORGE FOX. 



83 



XO. CCXXII. 

A General Epistle. 
My dear Friends, 1662. 

You must bow at the cross of Christ, which is the 
power of God, which since the apostles' days the apostate 
Christians have lost ; and therefore they bow to a cross, 
a stick, a stone, a piece of iron, a piece of wood. Now 
bowing to the cross of Christ, which is the power of God 
— that strikes over the nature of fallen man ; for whoso- 
ever bends and submits to the power of God within, feels 
it to rise over, and strike over, the carnal part, and that 
part that turns into ungodliness, and all that is bad, and 
is a cross to it. So bow to the powder of God. If all 
Christendom had done this, they had had a fellowship in 
this cross of Christ, which is a mystery. 

The worship of God is in the Spirit and in the Truth, 
that is the public worship which Christ set up. He 
preached it when He put down the worship at the moun- 
tain, and at Jerusalem, and said: God is a Spirit; and 
they that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and 
truth ; and the hour is come, and now is, that the Father 
seeketh such to worship Him. Then the hour was, that 
worship was set up, above sixteen hundred years since, 
when He denied and put down the worship at the moun- 
tain and at Jerusalem, where the forefathers worshipped. 
This is public, this is not a private worship, but brings 
every man and woman to the Spirit of God in their own 
hearts, and Truth in their inward parts ; in which Spirit 
and Truth they must bow down ? and come into it, if they 
be worshippers of God in the Truth and in the Spirit. 
And this is the standing worship that Christ preached up 
on the hill, where the forefathers had worshipped. And 
this worship is over the worship that was at Jerusalem. 



Si 



EPISTLES. &C. OF 



and over the worship that was at the mountain ; so by 
this must every man, every son of Adam, and daughter, 
come to the Spirit in their own particulars, and Truth in 
themselves; by which they must know God is a Spirit, 
and will be worshipped in the Spirit, and in the Truth. 

To pray in the spirit, this was the public prayer set 
up among the Christians ; the Temple was the public 
place of prayer among the J ews ; but to pray in the 
Spirit, which is the public prayer set up by the apostles, 
every man, every woman, must come to the Spirit of 
God in their ownselves ; for it will give them under- 
standing and knowledge, and give them instruction ; it 
will help their infirmities ; it will let them see their 
wants. So, in that must every son and daughter of 
Adam pray in the Spirit to God, who is a Spirit. And 
this is public, the Spirit of God in every man and woman 
to pray with unto God. who is a Spirit ; then in this 
Spirit have they fellowship and unity, and a bond of 
peace. One hath one set form, another another, that is 
particular; but the praying in the Spirit is general, by 
which every man and woman might see their necessities 
and wants, and turn to God, who is a Spirit, for his help. 
For Christ the quickening Spirit, and the Spirit of the 
Lord within, is that which brings people to lift up their 
eyes to the Lord in Spirit and Truth, and to watch and 
pray, by which they know temptations ; and the Spirit 
giveth them understanding, and wisdom, and power to 
withstand them. 

Singing in the Spirit is public ; but they that go from 
the Spirit of God within, they go into the particular 
singing, inventing this thing and that thing, and then 
one will do it, and another will not do it, and so there is 
no true fellowship, because it is not done in the Spirit ; 
and there is no true fellowship in their worshipping, nor 



GEORGE FOX, 



85 



in their praying, because it is not done in the Spirit ; for 
the true fellowship in singing, in praying, in worshipping 
of God, is in the Spirit of God. 

The teachers of the world (who called themselves 
ministers of Christ) told us that they had received a gift 
from Christ, who did ascend on high, and led captivity 
captive ; and this gift was for the work of the ministry, 
and for the perfecting of the saints ; and how that they 
were to bring people to the knowledge of the Son of God, 
from whence they had received this gift, and to the unity 
of the faith ; which faith gives the victory, and brings to 
have access to God, and also to a perfect man's state, and 
to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. 
And thus people followed them, and were glad that they 
would bring them to a perfect man's state, that is, to the 
state of Adam and Eve before they fell, for they were 
perfect then ; and when he had followed them, some 
twenty, some thirty, some more, some less years, then 
they told us again, that they hoped we w r ould not look for 
perfection while we were upon the earth, on this side the 
grave, for we must carry a body of sin about us ; and 
they hoped we would not look for perfection, and would 
not hold the erroneous doctrine of perfection ; and yet 
told us, as before, that they would bring us to a perfect 
man's state : and so we looked that they would have ful- 
filled their words ; for we have given our money, and 
have spent our labour in following after them, and hoped 
thev would have brought us to the knowledge of the Son 
of God, and so to the unity of the faith, and to a perfect 
man's state, to our father Adam and Eve's state before 
they fell. And now the scriptures that speak of sin and 
imperfection, they bring to prove that we should not be 
perfect, against their own promises and words ; and all 
the Scriptures that speak of perfection or overcoming, 



86 



EPISTLES. &C. OF 



they tell us there must be a meaning put to them. And 
thus they deceive us, in not bringing us to the measure 
of the stature of Christ, who never fell, the second Adam, 
the Lord from- heaven. 

Now of what value and price, and worth, have they 
made the blood of Christ, that cleanseth from sin and 
death ; and yet told people that they would bring them 
to the knowledge of the Son of God, and to a perfect 
man, and now tell them they must not be perfect on 
the earth, but carry a body of sin about them to the 
grave \ As much as to say, they must be in the state of 
their father Adam and their mother Eve in the fall, under 
the wrath, curse and woe, and must not come to the state 
they were in before they fell, to the image of God, in 
righteousness and true holiness. And yet, ask them for 
what end Christ came — they will say, to destroy the devil 
and his works. And then ask them, if the body of sin 
and death be not the devil's works and imperfection — they 
will say, yes ; and so are in confusion. Christ came to 
destroy the devil and his works, they say, and yet they 
must carry them to the grave ; and yet people are saved 
by Christ, they will say ; but while you are upon earth, 
you must not be made free from sin. 

This is as much as if one should be in Turkey a slave, 
chained to a boat, and one should come to redeem him to 
go into his own country ; but say the Turks — Thou art 
redeemed, but while thou art upon the earth, thou must 
not go out of Turkey, nor have the chain off thee. So 
it is said — You are redeemed, but must carry a body of 
death about, you, and cannot go to your father Adam's 
house before he fell, but you must live in your father 
Adam's house in the fall, while ye be upon earth. But, I 
say, you are redeemed by Christ ; it cost Him his blood 
to purchase man out of this state he is in, in the fall, and 



GEORGE FOX. 



87 



bring him up to the state man was in before he fell : so 
Christ became a curse, to bring man out of the curse ; 
and bore the wrath, to bring man to the peace of God 
that He might come to the blessed state, and to Adam's 
state which he was in before he fell ; and not only 
thither, but to a state in Christ that shall never fall. 
And this is my testimony to you and to all people on the 
earth. Now mark, the apostle said, Heliath quickened us, 
who icere dead in sins and trespasses, and hath made us to 
sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus ; that in 
the ages to come He might show forth his exceeding riches 
ami kindness toicards us. Now the a^es are come, glory 
to the Lord God over all, in the highest for ever, that this 
kindness and this riches are seen, that the apostle's 
preaching is fulfilled, who said, He hath quickened us, and 
made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. 
So mark, in Christ Jesus, [us] the church, [us] the saints, 
[us] the believers and true Christians, made us to sit to- 
gether. Here was their meeting, here w T as their sitting 
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, the Second Adam, 
the Lord from heaven ; Him that was glorified with the 
Father before the world began ; Him that never fell, but 
fetched man and woman out of the fall, to the state that 
man and woman w T ere in before they fell ; and to sit in 
heavenly places in Christ Jesus. And there is the safe 
sitting, in Christ the new and living way, the word of 
God, the power of God, the Light, the Life and Truth, 
in the First and in the Last, in the Beginning and in the 
Ending, in Him in whom there is no shadow of turnings 
nor variableness. 

Gr. F. 



88 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. CCXXXIX. 

A General Epistle to all Friends. 

1664. 

Now all Friends, look upon the sufferings that have 
been since the fall, and since the world began. And 
again, look upon the valiant prisoners, and such as stood 
with the Lord and for the Lord, and followed and obeyed 
his raovings, and motions, and commands ; with the 
victory they had, how they triumphed in the Lord, over 
that which was against the Lord ; for by faith Abraham 
forsook his country, and his father's house, and his 
national worship. And by faith was Abel's offering 
accepted of God, unto whom God had respect. There- 
fore did wicked Cain persecute and kill him about his re- 
ligion ; and this was not long after man was fallen from 
the righteousness, and the power, and the image of God, 
in which man was made. And by the faith, and the 
power and wisdom of God, did Moses go down and speak 
to Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and through the power, 
and hand, and arm of God he led them out of Egypt ; 
which signifies misery, thraldom, and bondage ; though 
afterwards when they were come out, and had tasted the 
power of God, many fell. And Moses saw Christ, the 
great prophet that was to come, which was to build his 
house, as Moses by the wisdom of God had done his, in 
the time of the Law, with types, figures, and shadows. 
And so look upon Moses how he conquered all the magi- 
cians, and comprehended all the sorcerers, and soothsayers, 
and Pharaoh's religion and their worship : and could not 
bow nor bend unto it. 

Look upon Joseph, who through the enmity in his 
brethren was sold into Egypt, who underwent reproach 



GEORGE FOX . 



89 



and imprisonment ; unto whom God gave power over all 
at last, and he confounded all the wise men, and the 
national worshippers in Egypt, and came in favour over 
them all by the power of God. And whilst the children 
of Israel stood in the power of God, what victories they 
had over their enemies ! As instance, Samson, David, 
and Saul. But when any went from the command of 
God, how they fell under the heathen. So now, ye who 
are come to God's power, which goes over the power of 
darkness, and before it was ; in that stand, triumph and 
trample ; who are come to the end of carnal weapons 
and striving with outward arms, And also remember 
how the prophets were imprisoned, and put into dungeons 
and stocks, &c. as in particular Jeremiah ; and how they 
were mocked, and scoffed at, and reproached, for declaring 
against the sins and wickedness of the times, both by 
rulers, teachers and people ; and yet by the power of God 
they were carried through, and over all : and the cry was 
then, Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or feareth 
man, or the arm of flesh, &c. 

So remember the three children, though prisoners, yet 
could they not bow to the national worship, and so were 
cast into the fiery furnace, unto whom the Lord God 
gave dominion over their enemies, and confounded the 
national worshippers, with all the magicians, and made the 
kino: to change his decree and law. And this was in the 
Babylonish Monarchy ; and when the Medes and Per- 
sians got up, the power was changed, then they cast 
Daniel into the den of lions, because he prayed to his 
God contrary to his king's decree, to whom God appeared 
again and confounded them all, and made the king or 
emperor to change his decree. Therefore keep faith in 
the power of God, for that is it by which the elders of 
old obtained a good report. And consider Mordecai, who 



90 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



stood faithful, and could not bow to proud flesh, though 
it was in danger of destroying all the Jews, over whom, 
through obedience to God, he gave him victory, by which 
he came to answer the good in all people. Now consider, 
they that came to profess Christ, who was the substance 
before the types, figures, and shadows, which were held 
up by the Jews in the Law, and first covenant, and 
priesthood and ordinances, which Christ the substance 
came to end, how that I say, the Christians of old suffered 
by that kind of people, the J ews, as you do now suffer 
the most, and have done by them that are the greatest 
professors of Christ's words, but out of the Life and 
Power of Christ, which the apostles and saints were in, 
in the primitive times. 

So it is no new thing ; and, as Solomon saith, There is 
no new thing under the sun ; for it is not a new thing for 
the birth that is born after the flesh to persecute the birth 
that is born after the Spirit. And look upon the apostles, 
and consider how they suffered that bore testimony to the 
substance, and by whom : their sufferings were, by such 
as were in the husks, shadows, inventions, and rudiments 
of the world, and such as were fallen from God's 
righteousness, -image, and holiness, and not in the re- 
newed state. 

And consider how the witness hath been slain, and 
(the true Church) the woman hath fled into the wilder- 
ness, who was persecuted ; and how she hath been fed 
there of God ; and how T since that time the beast and 
dragon's worship hath been up, and the false prophet, and 
the harlot, (the false church,) which hath ridden on the 
beast in the dragon's power, whom the people have wor- 
shipped ; who hath caused all nations to drink of her cup 
of fornication. Now you that have come to the end, and 
beyond all the worships of the beast, and after the wor- 



GEORGE FOX. 



91 



ship of the dragon, and have come to see the power, and 
to be in it, that takes them and casts them alive into the 
lake of fire, which power gives them dominion over them 
all, and to see to the very apostles' days, and what hath 
got up since ; for it is sixteen hundred years since the 
false prophets and antichrist came in. therefore they may 
plead antiquity. Now with the power of God ye may 
look what tricks they have played in the world, since the 
primitive times, in the apostacy. But now is the bride 
coming up out of the wilderness, and the prophet is 
arisen and arising, and the everlasting Gospel shall be 
and is preached again to all nations, kindreds, tongues, 
and peoples, of them that dwell upon the earth ; and the 
reapers are going forth to reap people down, and so up to 
God, and to bring them into the barn, and to gather the 
wheat into the garner. And people shall come to wor- 
ship God, that made heaven and earth, the sea, and all 
that is therein, and the beast's worship, and dragon's 
worship, and the false prophets are falling, and true pro- 
phets and true witnesses are rising and risen. Sing, 
triumph and rejoice, glory in the highest, trample, tread, 
and bow them before the mighty God. Let the wicked 
bow before the gates of the righteous : sing and rejoice, 
the heaven of heavens praise the Lord ! 

And consider how the servants of the Lord, and his 
royal people and prophets feared not flames, feared not 
dens of lions, or dragons, heeded not imprisonments, 
bonds, banishments, whips nor scourgings, nor spoiling 
of their goods, nor tortures ; nor feared being sawed 
asunder, nor their stocks, their clubs and staves, nor per- 
secution ; but chose rather to suffer reproach with the 
people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a 
season. And how that reproaches, slanders, vilifying 
words, they regarded not, but trampled upon such, and 



92 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



said, the sufferings were not to be valued with the excel- 
lency and riches of grace, which they were made partakers 
of. And the cry was, What shall separate us from the 
ove of God, which we have in Christ Jesus? shall 
death, shall famine, or sword, or persecution, or cold, or 
nakedness, or things present, or things to come, or height, 
or depth, or angels, or men, or principalities, or powers, 
separate us from the love of God? &c. For by the 
powers were all the national worships held up, as they are 
at this day, and the false prophets, the teachers, and the 
powers, joined together then against them that were in 
the faith ; by which faith they overcame, and said, there 
w T as not any thing that was able to separate them from 
the love of God which they had in Christ Jesus. 

G. F. 



NO. CCXL. 

Friends, 1664. 

All outward things, figures, types, shadows, and in- 
ventions, have been set up since Adam fell ; which inven- 
tions Christ destroys, and the types, figures, and shadows 
of Him He fulfils, and brings man up out of the fall, to 
the state he was in before he fell ; and so in the power of 
God, into peace, love, and unity, and into the everlasting 
fellowship. Cain differed from Abel in matter of worship ; 
Abraham from his countrymen and nation: likewise in 
matter of worship ; Moses and the children of Israel 
differed from the Egyptians and Canaanites, and other 
nations, in matter of worship. Yet after the children 
of Israel were brought out of Egypt by the power of 
God, how soon after did they set up a calf, an outward 
thing? Therefore in the power of God keep over all 
things, and in his wisdom. And observe how soon 



GEORGE FOX. 



93 



Korah, Dathan, and Abiram began to offer a strange 
sacrifice, after they were brought out of Egypt by the 
power of God ; and went from the power of God. in 
which they should have offered : therefore in the power 
of God keep. 

And also ye may see what differences there were among 
the churches in the primitive times, about meats, drinks, 
days, and times, but the Apostle tells them, the kingdom 
of God stands not in such things, but in righteousness, 
peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost ; and they were not to 
judge one another about such things ; for meats were for 
the belly, and the belly for meats, but God would destroy 
both them and it, and showed them that it was below 
Christians to jangle about such things. Also what 
jangling was there in the church in the primitive times 
about circumcision, which the apostle brings them off, 
and tells them, That circumcision nor uncircumcision 
availeth nothing, but a new creature. Therefore mind 
that new creature, and the faith that works by love. 
And how also there were j anglings about baptism and 
the supper, and about men, some for Paul, and some for 
Apollos, &c. But the apostle directed them all to know 
Christ the Seed, in the male and female, and told them 
he preached Christ in them, and bid them examine them- 
selves, and prove themselves, and to know Him to be in 
them, otherwise they were reprobates ; and he brings 
them off from things that are seen, for the things which 
are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen 
are eternal. Now these things which they jangled about, 
were things that w T ere seen, and not eternal things, but 
temporal; for, if they did not come to Christ Jesus, the 
substance of those things, they remained in the reproba- 
tion from the life, truth, and substance. And likewise, 
there were janglings about ministers and teachers, about 



94 



EPISTLES, kc. OF 



such as transformed themselves as into angels of light, 
and such as preached for filthy lucre, and such as served 
not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies. 

And the heat of some spirits got up so high about their 
outward things, that when they were not owned nor re- 
ceived, their sacrifices, and their will-worships, and their 
feigned humility, and their observing of days, and times, 
and forbidding marriages, setting up their doctrines, and 
traditions, which were not to be touched, tasted, nor 
handled, they went enviously into Cain's way, and 
Balaam's, and got great men on their sides, and admired 
their persons because of their advantage. Such went 
from the voice of God, which brought them out of Egypt, 
as Core did. 

And all the envious spirits in all ages, rose against 
those that were in the power of God, because they could 
not observe their outward things, which they had set up 
to be observed, which they that be in the universal power 
of God, which was before the fall was, could never do ; 
for their freedom stands in that, therefore is Cain wrath- 
ful against his brother, who is the wanderer and vagabond 
from God's voice, way, life, and acceptation. 

G. F. 



NO. CCXLV. 

All my dear Friends, 1666. 

Live in the noble Seed Christ Jesus, the Saviour and 
the Anointed One, and the Righteous Holy One, that 
your minds, hearts, souls, spirits, and bodies may be 
righteous, living in the righteousness of Christ Jesus, in 
all love, virtue, truth, and holiness, without which none 
can see God. For the Lord loveth the righteous, and 



GEORGE FOX. 



95 



the righteous are in peace, and all workers of iniquity 
their mouths shall be stopped : the throne of iniquity 
must be brought down, and the chamber of imagery in 
every heart ; for the Lord must have the heart, for it is 
to be his offering and sacrifice. All lips must be pure, 
and hands clean, that confess the Lord Jesus Christ ; and 
all tongues and eyes single to God and one to another ; 
and all mind the Lord's business in the Truth, and be 
given up to Him, and in it serving the Lord God in 
newness of life. And you that grow rich in the world in 
earthly things, who have had a stirring in you formerly 
in the service of God, take heed lest your minds run into 
your outward businesses, about outward things, and therein 
be lifted up above the good and just spirit, and so leave 
the service of the Lord and his business, in minding 
your own. For outward riches, and the things of this 
world, will pass away, for they have wings ; but the 
word of the Lord, which lives and abides, and endures 
for ever, will remain. Labour for the riches of it, 
for that will endure with you ; and seek the kingdom 
of God, which will never have an end, that stands 
in righteousness and in holiness, in which you have joy 
and peace in the Holy Ghost ; then all outward things 
will follow. So that in righteousness, holiness, and 
truth, as just men and holy men, and men fearing God, 
and as righteous men, sons, and servants, and children of 
God, you may all live, in all righteousness, holiness, 
pureness, truth, justice, and equity, in all manner of life 
and conversation ; so that your conversations may shine 
as lights of the world : knowing that all unrighteousness, 
uncleanness, unholiness, injustice, untruth, and impurity, 
is not of God, but is out of the kingdom of God ; and 
likewise all cheaters and cozeners, who do enrich them- 
selves by falsehood ; these works and workers are out of 



96 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



the kingdom of God and his power, and they are of 
their father the devil, who is out of the Truth. And 
Christ is pure, the Righteous One, the Holy One : in 
Him live ; for Christ, who sanctifies the impure, is pure ; 
He who never fell, sanctifieth and washeth them that are 
in the fall ; He who never transgressed, redeems out of 
transgression ; He who never sinned, redeems out of sin, 
and makes an end of it : and He who never trespassed, 
comes to forgive trespasses, and blot them out. And 
every one that comes to witness this forgiveness by Him, 
who have been the trespassers against God, they cannot 
but forgive men their trespasses against them. 

Keep in the faith that works by love, that purifieth 
your hearts ; the mystery of which is held in a pure 
conscience ; which faith brings you to have access to 
God, and gives you victory over that which separates 
from God. This is that by which you subdue mountains, 
and quench the fiery darts of Satan, and overcome him 
withal ; and in this you have all pure unity ; and you 
edify and build up in the holy faith, the gift of God ; 
and this is that which is to be contended for, which is the 
same that was once delivered to the saints. ! live in 
the pure hope, which purifies you as He is pure ; which 
hope is Christ ; and so feel Christ your hope, which 
anchors your immortal souls, which stays it in all waves, 
storms, and tempests, and is sure and safe in all weathers ; 
Christ, who is the same to-day as He was yesterday. 

— — ♦ 

NO. CCXLIX. 

A General Epistle to Friends. 

1667. 

Blessed are all those whose minds are staid upon the 
Lord, for they shall be kept in perfect peace. 



GEORGE FOX. 



97 



And seeing the devil hath made the world like a wilder- 
ness, and there are so many ways in it, that people do not 
know which way to come out of it, nor which to follow ; 
therefore this is my answer to you all, take David's Lamp 
and Light. You may say, what is that ? and where is it I 
I say, it is within you, the Word of God, You may say, 
people do not use to carry lamps in the day time, but in the 
night. I say, you are in the night of darkness, and there- 
fore the Word is called a lamp, and a light to you ; by 
which you may distinguish the way of the Lord, which is 
perfect, from all men's ways, which are imperfect ; for by 
this Word did David come to outstrip his teachers, and w 7 as 
made wiser than them all ; for by this Word he saw Christ , 
and called Him Lord. And this was the Word that 
came to Abraham, which made him forsake his national 
religion and worship, and obey the Lord ; and this was 
the Word that came to Jacob the shepherd, by which he 
saw Christ, and prophesied of Him to his sons on his 
death-bed, when he said to Judah, the sceptre should not 
depart from Judah, nor a law-giver from betwixt his feet, 
till Shiloh come, (meaning Christ,) and the gathering of 
all nations should be to Him. And this was the word 
that came to Moses, the shepherd, when he was keeping 
sheep ; which he obeyed and went to Egypt, and brought 
the children of Israel out of Egypt ; by which Word lie 
was made a minister ; and when the children of Israel 
were come out of Egypt into the wilderness, he told 
them, they need not go for the W ord beyond the seas, &c, 
for it was nigh them, in their hearts and mouths, to obey 
it and do it. And this was the Word that made Moses 
a prophet, who prophesied of Christ, and said, Like unto 
him God would raise up a Prophet, him should they hear 
in all things. 

And this was the Word that came to Samuel, and 



98 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



made him a prophet, who spoke to Eli the priest, and 
reproved his sons, and the children of Israel. 

And this was the Word that came to Isaiah, by which 
he prophesied of Christ, and of his preaching, and of his 
sufferings ; and by which Word he reproved the shepherds, 
which were as greedy dumb dogs, that could never have 
enough, seeking their gain from their quarter. 

And this w r as the Word of God that made Jeremiah a 
prophet, by which he saw the New Covenant ; by which 
Word he was said to reprove the people and the princes, 
of the filthy and horrible thing committed in the land, 
that the priests preached for hire, and the prophets pro- 
phesied falsely. And for reproving them for their super- 
stition and idolatry, they struck him, and put him in the 
stocks and prison, and persecuted him in the dungeon, 
till his persecutors were carried into captivity. And by 
the Word Jeremiah saw the number of seventy years of 
his persecutors being in Babylon's captivity. 

Elijah by this Word w T as made a prophet, and by the 
Word reproved Ahab and Jezebel for their idolatry, and 
worshipping of images. For which Word's sake they 
persecuted him, and the rest of the prophets. And 
Elisha the ploughman, by this Word, was made a prophet , 
and forsook his plough ; and by the Word reproved the 
idolatry in his age of priests and people. 

And by this Word was Ezekiel made a prophet ; by 
which Word he reproved the shepherds of Israel, that 
made a prey upon the people, and taught them for the 
fleece. And by the Word he saw that God would bring 
the people from under them, that they should be made 
a prey no longer ; and would gather them from their 
mouths, and set one Shepherd over them, even Christ. 

And by this Word Daniel was made a prophet, and 
saw Christ and his kingdom, and how the saints should 



GEORGE FOX. 



99 



take his kingdom ; and by the Word he saw such that 
should rise up against the people of God. And by the 
Word he numbered the years of Christ to his time, four 
hundred and ninety-nine years, and of his death, and how 
he should end the sacrifices ; and how that Christ should 
bring up everlasting righteousness, and put an end to sin, 
and end their prophets, and seal up their visions. 

And by the Word was Micah made a prophet, by which 
he cried against the priests that preached for hire, and 
the prophets that prophesied for money, and the judges 
that judged for rewards, and such as preached peace to 
the people that put into their mouths, (like the priests in 
these times) and when they did not, they prepared war 
against them, and chopped their flesh and broke their 
bones. 

And by the Word was Amos the herdsman made 
prophet, who was a gatherer of fruits ; and likewise all 
the rest of the prophets, who spoke forth divine things, 
and reproved the superstition and idolatry in their time 
and day. And this was the Word that made so manv 
fishermen preachers of the gospel, which is the power of 
God. 

And this was the Word which made Matthew the toll- 
gatherer, Luke the physician, and Paul the tent-maker, 
ministers and preachers of the gospel, and power of God. 
And this was the Word which made Peter to see Joel's 
prophesy, how that God would pour out of his Spirit 
upon all flesh, and sons and daughters should prophesy, 
and young men should see visions, and old men dream 
dreams ; and the pouring forth of the Spirit upon ser- 
vants and handmaids, that every one should have some- 
thing to speak to the glory of God. And, now priests, 
and proud prelates, and bishops, and popes, though 
you have made a trade of the saints' words, and the 

f2 



100 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



apostles and prophets' words, and gotten a great deal of 
money by them ; yet, nevertheless, if a company of shep- 
herds, herdsmen, fishermen, tent-makers, and toll-gatherers 
should come amongst you to preach, you would say, Away 
with these mechanic fellows! they have not served seven 
years' apprenticeship at the colleges, which were set up to 
make ministers : therefore they are not to set up, because 
they have not served their apprenticeship. What say the 
shepherds, herdsmen, fishermen, tent-makers, physicians, 
and toll-gatherers ? Do you make a trade of our friends' 
words, who were of our occupation, that never served 
apprenticeships in colleges, before they spake forth the 
words you make a trade of \ What! will you make a 
trade of our friends' words, who were of our occupation ? 
away with you to work, and away with your colleges ; 
for our brother Paul the tent-maker said, He that will not 
■work must not eat. For, would you own Christ if He 
had come in your day, who was called a carpenter's son ? 
Y ou popes with your triple crowns, and you lord bishops, 
w r ith your coaches and pampered horses, and gorgeous 
apparel, with your black coats, and white coats, and silk 
girdles — are you like to entertain Him who was called a 
carpenter's son ; or to cast Him and his mother into the 
manger in your stables ? 

This was the Word by which J ohn the evangelist saw 
Christ, who doth enlighten every man that cometh into 
the world, and saw how He became flesh, and came to 
his own, and that his own did not receive Him ; but to as 
many as received Christ the Light, that to them he gave 
power to become the sons of God. And by this Word, 
the minister of the Word preaches Christ's word, life, 
death, and resurrection. And therefore, as John saith 
in his epistle, That which our eyes have seen, our hands 
have handled, and our ears have heard of the Word of 



GEORGE FOX. 



101 



Life, do we preach unto you ; that which was from the 
beginning : in the beginning was the Word ; but since the 
beginning were the words and letters ; for the Scriptures 
of Truth are the words of God, and the words of Christ. 
So the Word was in the beginning, and Christ's name is 
called, the Word of God ; but Christ is not called the 
Scriptures. So, in the beginning was the Word. And 
this is the Word that lives, and abides, and endures for 
ever, by which the saints are born again of the immortal 
Seed and Word of God, into a Divine life, wisdom, and 
understanding ; and by this Word they do see all flesh 
to be as grass, and as the flower of the field that fadeth ; 
and the W ord of God that lives, and abides, and endures 
for ever, is Christ, whose name is called, the Word of 
God. 

Concerning the Worship of God. 

1667. 

There was a worship at Jerusalem; and a worship at 
the mountain, where Jacob's well was. 

Jacob went down into Egypt with his family, and he 
died in Egypt, and his sons carried him out of Egypt, 
and buried him in the land of Canaan, in his grandfather 
Abraham's burying-place ; and after several hundred 
years, the children of Israel came out of Egypt into the 
land of Canaan, and there they built Jerusalem and the 
temple ; and there was but one temple in the whole world 
commanded of God, and that was at Jerusalem. And 
before, in the days of Jacob, there was a worship set up 
at the mountain, near unto Samaria, where Jacob digged 
a well. Therefore when the woman of Samaria came out 
to fetch water at Jacob's well, the woman reasoned with 
Christ about worship, and she said — Our fathers wor- 
shipped at this mountain, but others at J erusalem : and 



102 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



Christ answered her again : The hour cometh, that 
neither at Jerusalem, nor at this mountain shall God be 
worshipped. 

There He denies the continuance of these two public 
places of worship ; and when He had done that, He sets 
up another worship, for He said, God was a Spirit, and 
they that worshipped Him, must worship him in spirit 
and in truth ; for the hour cometh, and now is, that God 
seeks such to worship Him. And this worship He set 
up, and preached up above sixteen hundred years since; 
many hundred years before Mass-book, Common-Prayer 
book, Directory, or Church Faith were. And this was 
the public worship that Christ set up in the Spirit and in 
the Truth ; for God is a Spirit, and such He sought to 
worship Him, as worshipped Him in spirit and truth. 
So all are to mind the worship that God seeks, and not 
the worship that men seek. And Christ said, that the 
temple should be thrown down, and the city of Jerusalem ; 
and the Jews scattered over all nations. And the apostle 
saith : He is not a Jew that is one outwardly, but lie is a 
Jew that is one inwardly \ in the spirit, and not of the 
letter; for the letter Jcilleth, hut the Spirit makes alive. 
What, cries the world, do you deny temple worship ? 
Nay ; we say every man and woman must come into the 
temple, if he worship God in the Spirit and Truth. 
For, do not you know that your bodies are the temples 
of the Holy Ghost, which is the Holy Spirit ? And can 
any worship God, who is a Spirit, in the Truth, but they 
must come to the Spirit and the Truth of God in their 
own hearts ? Here we set up the public and temple wor- 
ship, which Christ set up, which every man and woman 
in the world must come to, Truth in the inward parts, 
and the Spirit of God within them, and worship in the 
Spirit. 



GEORGE FOX. 



103 



And this is the public and universal worship ; and this 
brings every man and woman in the world to Truth, and 
the Spirit of God in their own hearts. And so this 
brings all to know their bodies to be the temples of the 
Holy Spirit, in which they worship, as the Jew outward 
worshipped in his outward temple. 

And they that offered in the Jews' temple, were to 
wear the holy garments ; so are you to do that are 
the true Christians, and are called a royal priesthood. 
What ! are all true Christians, priests I Yes. What ! 
are women priests ? Yes ; women priests. And can men 
and women offer sacrifices without they wear the holy 
garments \ No. What are the holy garments men and 
women must wear 2 The fine linen ; and they must go 
in white. What, is this the priest's surplice? Nay; 
the surplice got up when the fine linen, the righteousness 
of saints, and going in white, were lost. What is the fine 
linen and going in white, that this royal priesthood must 
wear, which are the royal garments I It is the righteous- 
ness of Christ, which is the righteousness of the saints ; 
this is the royal garment of the royal priesthood, which 
every one must put on, men and women ; so every one 
put on your robes, put on your garments, the righteous- 
ness of Christ, as a cloak, that you may offer to the Lord 
an offering in righteousness. You that are sensible of 
the Lord's mercies, offer to Him his praise, his glory and 
honour, his spiritual sacrifice in your temple, as the sweet 
odours, myrrh and frankincense. And when the Jews' 
temple was cleansed, and the rubbish cast out of it, the 
glory of the Lord filled the temple. And when your 
temples are cleansed, and the rubbish cast out of your 
temples by your High-priest Jesus Christ, who destroys 
the devil and his works, you will witness a renewing 
up into the image of God, into righteousness and holiness. 



104 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



So here you are a royal priesthood, offering up the spiri- 
tual sacrifices. And was not the J ew outward, to have 
fire and lamps burn always in his temple ? And are not 
the Jews in spirit, always to have the Word, which is a 
fire in their temple, and the Light of Christ ? For doth 
not Christ say, have oil in your lamps ? And were not 
their bodies that lamp I And was there not to be salt in 
the J ews' temple, to season their sacrifices ? And so, are 
not you to have always salt in yourselves (doth not 
Christ say so ?) by which you may savour and be seasoned, 
that all your sacrifices may be seasoned with salt I And 
so Christ ends all the types, figures, and shadows, and 
variable things that were given to man since the fall, and 
held up by the law, which law of Grod they were not to 
add to, nor take from, and which stood very nigh two 
thousand years. This law served till Christ came, and 
was good in its place, and was added because of trans- 
gression ; but Christ is come, who was the end of the law 
for righteousness' sake, to every one that believes ; and 
in Christ is no shadow, variableness, nor turning : for He 
was before shadows were, glorified with the Father before 
the world began ; the First and the Last, the Beginning 
and Ending, the Top and Corner Stone, the chief Master 
Builder, the Elect and Precious One, whom all the 
builders in all ages rejected, that were of men, and by 
men, and from men ; whom the heirs of the world cast 
out, and could not abide that He should reign, whose 
right it is. But Christ is King of kings, and Lord of 
lords, above all principalities, powers, and thrones is He 
ascended ; He opens and no man shuts, and shuts and no 
man opens ; so He that opens to you by his light, who 
filleth your lamps with oil of gladness, none can shut out 
from you. 



GEORGE FOX. 



105 



NO, CCL. 

A warning to all to keep out of the vain fashions of the 
world, which lead them below the serious life, <$fc. 

Friends, 1667. 

Keep out of the vain fashions of the world ; let not 
your eyes, and minds, and spirits run after every fashion 
in apparel ; for that will lead you from the solid life into 
unity with that spirit that leads to follow the fashions of 
the nations. But mind that which is sober and modest, 
and keep to your plain fashions, that therein you may 
judge the world, whose minds and eyes are in what they 
shall put on, and what they shall eat. But keep all in 
the modesty, and plainness, and fervency, and sincerity, 
and be circumspect ; for they that follow those things 
that the world's spirit invents daily, cannot be solid. 
Therefore all keep down that spirit of the world that runs 
into so many fashions, to please the lust of the eye, the 
lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. And fashion not 
yourselves according to your former lust of ignorance ; 
and let the time past be sufficient, in which you have 
lived according to the lusts of men, and the course of the 
world ; that the rest of your time you may live to the 
will of God ; taking no thought what ye shall eat, what 
ye shall drink, or what ye shall put on. Therefore take 
heed of the world's vanity, and trust not in uncertain 
riches, neither covet the riches of this world ; but seek 
the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof, and 
all other things will follow. And let your minds be 
above the costly and vain fashions of attire, but mind the 
hidden man of the heart, which is a meek and a quiet 
spirit, which is of great price with the Lord. And keep 
to justice and truth in all your dealings and tradings, at 

f3 



106 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



a word, and to the form of sound words, in the power of 
the Lord and in equity, in yea and nay in all your deal- 
ings, that your lives and conversations may be in heaven, 
and above the earth ; that they may preach to all that 
you have to deal with; so that you may be as a city set 
on a hill, that cannot be hid, and as lights of the world, 
answering the equal principle in all ; that God in all 
things may be glorified. So that you may pass your 
time here with fear, as pilgrims, and strangers, and 
sojourners, having an eye over all things that are uncer- 
tain, as cities, houses, lands, goods, and all things below ; 
possessing them as if ye did not ; and as having a city 
whose maker and builder is God, and an inheritance that 
will never fade away, in which you have riches that will 
abide with you eternally. G. F. 

+ 

NO. CCLI. 

My Dear Friends, 1667. 

Now that Friends are become a good savour in the 
hearts of all people, and God having given them his 
dominion and favour, lose it not, but rather increase it in the 
life ; for at first ye know that many of you could not take 
so much money in your trade as to buy bread w T ith ; all 
people stood aloof from you, when you stood upright, 
and gave them the plain language, and were at a w r ord ; 
but now that, through the life, you come to answer that 
of God in all, they say that they will trust you before 
their own people, knowing that you will not cheat, nor 
wrong, nor cozen, nor oppress them. For the cry is now, 
where is there a Quaker of such and such a trade I so 
that they will deal with Friends before they will deal 
with their own, O ! therefore, Friends, who have pur- 



GEORGE FOX. 



107 



chased this through great sufferings, lose not this great 
favour which God hath given unto you, but that you 
may answer the witness of God in every man, which 
witnesseth to your faithfulness, that they may glorify 
your Father on your behalf. 

And now, Friends, if there be any oppression, exac- 
tion, or defrauding by making a prize, through the 
freedom which God hath given you, the world will see 
such, and say, the Quakers are not as they were ; there- 
fore such should be exhorted to equity and truth. And 
also if any run into debt, and aim at great things, and 
make a great show in the world of others' goods, which 
come to burden others, and lift up themselves with that 
which is not their own, and are not able to satisfy them 
according to their time and word ; such hurt themselves, 
burden others, and oppress them, and bring grief, and 
cause heart-rising in them to see such grown up by 
oppression ; therefore such must be exhorted to justice, 
equity, and righteousness, and an even measure, to do as 
they would be done by. 

And also, such as go under the name of Quaker, that 
are gotten into the earth, and settle their nests there in 
ease ; such come to cry against Quakers'* meetings, saying, 
away with your forms ; and will not come to our meet- 
ings, and hurt others, by which the world gets occasion 
against the truth. Therefore such must be exhorted, for 
such never knew the purchase of the Truth, or if they 
did they have sold it. 

And they that do forsake the assembling of themselves 
together, as the manner of some was in the Apostles' 
days, and is the manner of some now, such grow more 
and more in the evil heart, departing from the living 
God. And this brought in the apostacy, and all the 
whole body of trifling traditions. Therefore such as be 



108 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



in the everlasting power of God, must exhort such to 
take heed and be wise. 

And also, all such unruly spirits that have professed 
falsely, and got under the name of Quakers, whose evil 
words corrupt good manners, must be exhorted from 
house to house. 

And also such young people, lasses and lads, that go in 
youthful ways, and take liberty to go into pleasure, and 
to play, and to ale-houses and drunkenness ; which are 
marks that they are dead whilst they live ; such must be 
exhorted to live in the Truth, and to come to that which 
will mortify that which leads to death ; so that Truth 
may be adorned by them. 

And also such as will not go to meetings, and cry 
against others that do, and say, they are forms of men ; 
and one while they will not give the hand ; and another 
while they will keep on their hats when friends pray, and 
yet secretly they can go to bad houses, as several have 
done ;— from these abominable houses they must be ex- 
horted and reproved. And if they do not repent, and 
come to judge and condemn those things that they have 
done amiss, and to live in that which doth condemn, and 
give forth a paper to take their transgressions and bad 
doings out of Friends' minds ; and manifest to the 
people of the world their repentance : then Friends must 
give forth a paper to the world, to certify against them, 
for clearing the Truth. 

And all such as are tattlers, busybodies, backbiters, 
and gossipers, are to be exhorted to mind their own con- 
ditions, that they may live in the Truth, and not draw 
others out to words, wherein there is no profit ; that 
Truth may flow, and the life may flow, and the unity 
may increase in the Spirit and Power ; that all may 
come to live in the Gospel order. 



GEORGE POX. 



109 



And all such as cry, Away with your laws, we will 
have none of your laws — all such as cry against laws so 
much, are the sons of Belial, and would be without the 
yoke of the law of the Son of God. Such always were 
the stirrers up of mischief and schism from the body, 
and they took liberty to say any thing ; as ye may read 
in the Book of Kings, in the days of Jezebel, and in the 
days of Stephen ; and yet these that cry so much against 
laws, they live themselves in the law of sin and death ; 
which they obey when they do evil ; who are without the 
understanding of the righteous law, which the righteous 
live in and see. Therefore such must be exhorted and 
reproved, if they go under the name of Quakers, and are 
not in the life ; that justice, judgment, and righteous- 
ness, may flow as a river, and as a stream, and that all 
the filth may be driven away from among us ; that no- 
thing but the power of God, and the life of Truth, may 
rule amongst us ; that the living God, who hath blessed 
you with his heavenly riches and mercies, and largely 
manifested them among you, may be in all things 
honoured, magnified, and exalted : to whom all belongs, 
God over all, blessed for ever. So that every one may 
adorn the Truth, and the Gospel, and mind the Lord's 
business above their own. And every one be tender of 
the glory of God, and be careful, that in no ways his 
name and Truth be dishonoured. 

G. F. 



110 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. CCLII. 

For Friends in the ministry, scattered abroad in Vir- 
ginia, Maryland, New England > Barbadoes and other 
Plantations beyond the sea. 

1667. 

To all you that minister abroad in those parts, this is 
the word of the Lord : Live in lowliness of mind, meek- 
ness of spirit, and pureness of heart, and be examples in 
your lives, and chaste in your conversations, in holiness 
of mind, that you may be a good savour amongst the 
people where you come. Let all ungracious, light, un- 
seasoned expressions, be kept out of your minds and 
mouths, which edify not the new Life ; and keep single 
unto God, and single-hearted to man, and plain in all 
things, and low. For it is the word of the Lord, and the 
light of God, that prophesieth and revealeth the dispen- 
sation of the Gospel of Christ unto people. Be ye faith- 
ful in it, and walk answerable to it, and to that holy gift 
or manifestation of prophesy. Be at unity amongst 
yourselves, that you may not make sects or schisms, or 
stumble the weak. For you know that cursed spirit that 
made rents, and got into the affections and uppermost 
part of people, hath buried the witness of God in many, 
and made open rents. And so, be valiant for the Truth 
upon the earth, abhorring all uncleanness and unrighte- 
ousness, flying all youthful ways and fond affections 
below, being kept above them ; showing the new life to 
them that be in the old, and a new conversation to them 
that be in the vain, and gentleness to all the perverse, 
and straitness to all the crooked, and plainness to all 
the rough, and lowliness to all the mountains of ungodli- 
ness and unrighteousness ; for the Lamb must have the 
victory. And so you may be one another's crown, joy, 



GEORGE FOX. 



11 J 



and rejoicing in the Lord ; and not one another's sorrow 
and grief. And some of you should take some of the 
eminent, true, good, and upright Friends, and go and 
discourse with some of the heathen kings, desiring them 
to gather their council and people together, that you may- 
declare God's everlasting Truth, and his everlasting way 
of life and salvation to them, knowing that Christ is the 
promise of God to them, a covenant of Light to the 
Gentiles, who is also the New Covenant to the J ews ; for 
you have been amongst the old, rotten-hearted professors, 
and seen the power of the Lord come over them. So, 
now turn to the Gentiles, to whom Christ is given for a 
Covenant of light, and of salvation, to the ends of the 
earth. So that the Light must be preached and sounded 
throughout all the heathen kings and princes' countries ; 
and therefore, as you feel and are moved, let about six or 
more persons, living in those parts near unto them, go 
with you, as I said, and desire the king to gather his 
council and subjects together, that they may hear that 
which hath been promised to them, God's everlasting- 
Co venant of light, and life, and salvation, to the ends of 
the earth. And so be faithful in his power, which was 
before the devil w T as ; who hath darkened people, and set 
them one against another. You having on the armour 
of light, which was before the power of darkness, and 
having on the breast-plate of righteousness, that you may 
stand against all unrighteousness, and the shield of faith, 
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, 
which is the Word of God. For the Word is the same 
now as it was in the beginning, in ages past, manifested 
over all ; which many thousands have received. Glory 
and blessing to the Lord God for ever. So be faithful, 
that you may be one another's crown and rejoicing in the 
Lord, going together in the love and fear of the Lord. 

G-. F. 



112 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. CCLVI. 

My Dear Friends, 1667. 

Live in the wisdom of God, which is gentle and pure, 
from above, and easy to be entreated. All bear one 
another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. And 
if any weakness should appear in any in your meetings, 
let not any lay it open and tell it abroad ; that is not 
wisdom that doth so ; for love covereth a multitude of 
sins, and love preserves and edifies the body ; and he 
that dwells in love dwells in God, for God is love ; and 
love is not easily provoked ; and therefore keep the law of 
love, to keep down that which is so provoked ; for that 
which is easily provoked hath words, which are for con- 
demnation. G. F. 
♦ 



NO. CCLX. 

Dear Friends, 1668. 

And an highway shall he there, and a way, and it shall 
he called the way of holiness : the unclean shall not pass 
over it. This way, which is called the way of holiness, 
was spoken of by prophecy ; and this way is Christ, who 
is the way of holiness, who is above the unclean, and 
destroys it, and the ground of it, the devil ; and so, the 
unclean cannot pass over this way of holiness. This is 
our way, who are in scorn called Quakers, to wit, Christ ; 
and this way of holiness shall be for the wayfaring men ; 
though fools, they shall not err therein ; nor shall lion, 
or ravenous beast, or lion's whelp go thereon. All the 
ravenous beasts are without, in the way of the world, 
without Christ and God. But the redeemed shall walk 
in this way of holiness, Christ Jesus ; and the ransomed 
of the Lord shall walk in this way of holiness ; and they 



GEORGE FOX. 



113 



that do return from the way of the world to Sion, shall 
walk in this way of holiness, with singing, and everlast- 
ing joy upon their heads. And they that walk in this 
way of holiness, Christ Jesus, shall obtain joy and glad- 
ness ; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. And all 
that walk in this way of holiness, their deaf ear is un- 
stopped, and their blind eye is opened. And the lame 
man here shall leap as an hart, and the dumb man's 
tongue shall sing. And here he shall see waters gush 
out of the rock, and streams out of the desert, in this 
way of holiness. And in this way, he shall see the 
parched ground become a pool, and the thirsty land full of 
springs ; and in the habitation where dragons lay, shall 
be grass with reeds and rushes, which begin to spring : 
glory be to the Lord for ever. And this way of holiness, 
which the prophets prophesied of, is Christ Jesus, the 
Way, who said of Himself, i" am the Way ; and He is 
over all the fallen ways, and before the way of the ser- 
pent ; glorified with the Father, before the world began. 
And this is the way of the wayfaring men, who have 
been wayfaring up and down from religion to religion, 
from worship to worship, from one people to another, 
from one minister and teacher to another, and could not 
sit down in any of their ways, but wayfared, travelled, 
and sought. And now, glory be to the Lord for ever 
thousands of these wayfaring men are come to find 
their way, Christ Jesus, and shall not err therein. 
They shall not err in Christ Jesus, for there is no error 
in Him, for He was before error was ; for Christ, the 
way, destroys the devil and his works, the ground of all 
error. So, though they be called fools by all the sons 
of Adam, who are set down in their own rudiments, and 
w T ho have persecuted these wayfaring men as fools, be- 
cause they would not sit down with them in their rudi- 



114 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



rnents, worships, self-righteousness, and national church, 
which national powers have established ; yet these way- 
faring men walk on in their way, Christ Jesus. And 
they see how all the wise men in old Adam mixed with 
the wisdom of the Serpent, how they are all in their own 
ways, worships, and religions ; and all the sects in it, 
how they are like tradesmen, plucking from one church 
to another, and getting customers, and drawing people 
from one another's church to their own ways ; and tear- 
ing one another to pieces, to get people from one another's 
church to themselves. I sought ray beloved by night, and 
the watchmen smote me. Did not the wayfaring man £0 
to the Papists, and say, You watchmen of the night, 
did ye see my Beloved ; What is thy beloved more than 
another's beloved, said they ? What is thy religion, 
more than another's religion ? or thy profession, more 
than another's profession ; so the papists smote and 
wounded the way-faring man. The way-faring man did 
not ask the papist for his beloved ; for the papists had a 
beloved, a Mass-book ; but he asked him for his own 
Beloved, Christ Jesus. 

Well, the next watchmen were the Common-prayer 
men of every parish. The wayfaring man went to those 
watchmen of the night, and said, Did ye see my Beloved I 
They stormed at the wayfaring man, and said : What is 
thy beloved more than another's beloved, and thy religion 
more than another's religion. They also smote him, and 
wounded him. 

Well, the next watchmen of the night were the Pres- 
byterians, they were also the watchmen of some people ; 
the wayfaring man went to them, and said, Ye watchmen 
of the night, did ye see my Beloved I And they were 
exceeding angry, and said : What is thy beloved more 
than another's beloved, and what is thy religion more 



GEORGE FOX. 



115 



than another's religion? He did not ask him for Ms 
beloved ; for he knew he had a beloved, his Directory. 
And these watchmen smote the wayfaring men, and 
punished some, spoiled some of their goods, and killed 
some, (as in New England,) because they would not 
follow their beloved, as the papists and others had done 
before them. 

The next watchmen were the Independents and Bap- 
tists ; the wayfaring man went to them also, for they 
were the watchmen of some people, and said unto them : 
Ye watchmen of the night, did ye see my Beloved? 
And these watchmen of the night were also exceeding 
angry, and said, What is thy beloved more than another's 
beloved, and thy way more than another's way, and thy 
religion more than another's. And these watchmen of 
the night smote cruelly. 

Then the wayfaring men went to the private meetings 
of the Manifesterians and Seekers ; and these watchmen 
fell a mocking, and scoffing, and railing, and smiting with 
the tongue, and thrust them out of their meetings. And 
when it w r as asked them, if they saw the wayfaring men's 
Beloved? they scoffed at their beloved. And so the 
wayfaring men way fared up and down from watchman to 
watchman to seek their Beloved ; and many were impri- 
soned and persecuted by some of these watchmen of the 
night. And now, glory for ever be to the Lord ! thou- 
sands of these wayfaring men have found their beloved, 
and have found their way, Christ Jesus, and a fool 
shall not err therein ; for there is no error in Christ 
Jesus. 

The outward J ew worshipped in his outward temple 
made with hands, at outward Jerusalem, and they came 
up yearly to worship there ; and if they did not come up 
to worship at outward Jerusalem, and keep the feast of 



116 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



tabernacles in the temple, upon them should be no rain ; 
and their eyes were to rot out of their heads, and their 
tongues out of their mouths, that fought against Jeru- 
salem. Zee. xiv. 12. So the outward Jew had but one 
temple in the whole world, and there they went to wor- 
ship in it ; and the priest had a chamber in the temple. 
And when Christ came, he ended the priesthood, he 
ended the offerings, and the temple and the worship 
therein of the outward Jews ; and set up another worship 
in the spirit and in the truth. For when the woman of 
Samaria, that came to Jacob's well, said unto Christ, how 
that " our fathers worshipped in this mountain," (where 
Jacob's well was, and the well was made before Jerusalem 
was, or the temple either; for Jacob died in Egypt, and 
afterward his sons came out of Egypt, and builded a 
temple in Jerusalem ; and so there they set up a place of 
worship after the well was made), then Christ said unto 
the woman, the hour is coming, and now is, that they 
that worship the Father must worship Him in spirit and 
in truth ; and not at Jerusalem, nor at this mountain, is 
God worshipped ; for God is a Spirit, and they that wor- 
ship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. 
And then did Christ set up his worship, which was before 
the Popes, Turks, Common-prayer, Presbyterian, Inde- 
pendent, and other worships were ; and the worship that 
Christ Jesus set up, was in the spirit and in the truth. 
Now where is this Spirit, and where is this Truth ? Is 
it not within people \ So as the J ew outward was to 
worship in the temple, and there was but that one temple 
commanded of God to be built, which Christ came to end, 
who set up his worship in the Spirit and in the Truth : 
so every man and woman in the whole world must come 
to the Spirit and Truth in their own hearts, by which 
they must know the God of Truth, who is a Spirit, and 



GEORGE FOX. 



117 



feel the Spirit in their own hearts, and in the Spirit of 
Truth worship the God of Truth, who is a Spirit. 

So now, as the J ew outward was to offer his sacrifice 
in the outward temple, and no where else, which temple 
is now thrown down, he is not a Jew who is one out- 
wardly, but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, in the 
Spirit and in the Truth ; and so, all ye Jews inwardly, 
in the Spirit, ye must worship in the Truth and in the 
Spirit. And so, the Jew inwardly can worship no where 
but in the temple. What temple ? it is not a temple that 
is made with hands. The Jews outwardly worshipped in 
the temple that was made with hands ; but the Jew in- 
wardly, his worship is to be in the Spirit, and in the 
Truth, and in a temple not made with hands, where the 
Spirit of Truth is. Know ye not, that your bodies are 
the temples of the Holy Ghost. And so all ye who are 
Jews inwardly in the Spirit, let Christ your priest have 
a chamber in your temple, that He may cleanse your 
temple, and cast the rubbish out of it, which is come in 
by transgression, who doth renew you up into the image 
of God, which Adam and Eve were in before they fell ; 
so that the glory of the Lord may fill your temple e 

— — » 

NO. CCLXIII. 

An Exhortation to keep to the ancient Principles of 
Truth. 

Friends, 1668. 

Keep at a word in all your dealings, without oppres- 
sion. 

And keep to the sound language, thou to every one. 
And keep your testimony against the world's vain 
fashions. 



118 



EPISTLES. &C. OF 



And keep your testimony against the hireling priests, 
and their tithes and maintenance. 

And against the old mass-houses, and the repairing of 
them. 

And against the priests and the world's joining in 
marriages. 

And your testimony against swearing, and the world's 
corrupt manners. 

And against all looseness, pleasures, and profaneness 
whatsoever, 

And against all the world's evil ways, vain worships 
and religions ; and stand up for God's. 

And see that restitution be made by every one, that 
hath done wrong to any. 

And that all differences be made up speedily, that they 
do not fly abroad to corrupt people's minds. 

And let all reports be stopped that tend to the defam- 
ing one of another. 

And, Friends, live all in the power of the Lord God, 
and in his truth, light, and life, that with it you may all, 
with one heart, soul, and mind, keep dominion ; and in 
the light, life, truth, and power of God, do true judgment, 
justice and truth, righteousness and equity, in all your 
men and women's meetings, without favour or affection to 
relations, kindreds, and acquaintance, or any respect of 
persons ; for if you do not so, judgment will come upon 
you from God, to put you down from your places : for the 
power of God respects not persons, but justice, truth, 
righteousness, equity, &c. 

Let mercy overshadow the judgment-seat ; and let 
mercy be mixed with judgment. 

Take heed of foolish pity ; and if you be not diligent 
against all profaneness, sin, iniquity, uncleanness, loose- 
ness and debauchery, and that which dishonoureth God, 



GEORGE FOX. 



119 



then you let those things come up upon you, which you 
should subdue, and keep down with righteousness, and 
the truth and the power of God. 

And in all your men and women's meetings, let all 
things be done in love, which doth edify the body ; and 
let nothing be done in strife and vain glory, but keep in 
the unity of the Spirit, which is the bond of peace. And 
let all things be done in the wisdom of God, which is 
pure and gentle, from above, above the earthly, which is 
below, sensual and devilish. 

xAnd take heed of hurting any concerning marriages, 
through any earthly reasoning, if the thing be right, lest 
they do worse. 

And so all be diligent for the Lord God and his Truth 
upon the earth, and the inheritance of a life that hath no 
end, that you may live in the seed that is blessed for 
evermore. 

And be diligent in all your meetings, and see to the 
setting forth of apprentices, all fatherless and poor friends' 
children ; and that all the poor widows be carefully looked 
after, that nothing may be lacking among you ; then all 
will be well. 

And keep your testimony against all the filthy rags of 
the old world ; and for your fine linen, the righteousness 
of Christ Jesus. 

And keep your testimony for your liberty in Christ 
Jesus, and stand fast in it, against all the false liberties 
in old Adam ; and your liberty in the Spirit of God, and 
in the Gospel of Christ Jesus, against all the false and 
loose liberties in the flesh. 

And train up all your children in the fear of the Lord, 
and in his new Covenant, Christ Jesus; as the Jews did 
their children and servants in the old covenant, and so do 
you admonish your children and servants. And let no 



120 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



man live to himself, but in that love that seeks not his 
own. 

NO. CCLXIV. 

Extracts from other of G. Fox's Epistles, both of former 
and later dates, relating to matters recommended by him 
to be taken notice of by the Quarterly and other Meetings. 

Dear Friends, 1669. 

If there happen any difference betwixt Friend and 
Friend, let them speak to one another; and, if they will 
not hear, let them take two or three of the meeting they 
belong to, that they may end it, if they can. And if 
they cannot end it, then it may be laid before the Monthly 
Meeting. And if it cannot be ended there, then it may 
be brought to the Quarterly Meeting, and there let it be 
put to half a dozen friends, that they may end it, that 
they may keep their meetings quiet. Or, they that are 
at difference, may choose three friends, and friends may 
choose three more to them, and let them stand to their 
judgment. For there are few, that love quietness and 
peace, will have their names brought to a Monthly or 
Quarterly Meeting, to have their names sounded over the 
country, that they are in strife ; but will rather endea- 
vour to end it amongst themselves or at their own meet- 
ing, before they come to the Monthly Meeting. 

And if there be any difference brought to the Monthly 
or Quarterly Meeting, either men or women's, after 
you have heard them one by one, and let but one speak 
at a time, know of them, whether they will stand to your 
judgment I And, if they will, let half a dozen Friends 
make a final end of it. But, if they will not stand to 
your judgment, they are not fit to bring it thither. 



GEORGE FOX. 



121 



And if any brother or sister hear any report of any 
brother or sister, let him or her go to the party, and know 
the truth of the report ; and if true, let the thing be 
judged : if false, go then to the reporter, and let him or 
her be judged. And if any should report it at a second 
or third hand, without going to the party of whom the 
report goes, let such be brought to judgment : for thou 
shalt neither raise nor suffer a false report to lie upon my 
people, saith the Lord ; for they are to be holy, as He is 
holy ; and just, as He is just. 

Now concerning Gospel order ; though the doctrine of 
Jesus Christ requireth his people to admonish a brother 
or sister twice, before they tell the church, yet that 
limiteth none, so as that they shall use no longer forbear- 
ance, before they tell the Church ; but that they shall 
not less than twice admonish their brother or sister before 
they tell the Church. And it is desired of all, that 
before they publicly complain, they wait in the power of 
God, to feel if there is no more required of them to their 
brother or sister, before they expose him or her to the 
church : let this be weightily considered. 

And further, when the church is told } and the party 
admonished by the church again and again, and he or 
they remain still insensible and unreconciled, let not final 
judgment go forth against him or her, till every one of 
the meeting have cleared his or her conscience ; that if 
any thing be upon any, further to visit such a transgressor, 
they may clear themselves, that if possible the party may 
be reached and saved. And after all are clear of the 
blood of such an one, let the judgment of Friends in the 
power of God go forth against him or her, as moved, for 
the Lord's honour and glory's sake, that no reproach may 
come or rest upon God's holy name, truth, and people. 

And all such as behold their brother or sister in a 



122 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



transgression, go not in a rough, light, or upbraiding 
spirit to reprove or admonish him or her, but in the power 
of the Lord, and spirit of the Lamb, and in the wisdom 
and love of the Truth, which suffers thereby to admonish 
such an offender. So may the soul of such a brother or 
sister be seasonably and effectually reached unto and 
overcome, and they may have cause to bless the Name of 
the Lord on their behalf, and so a blessing may be re- 
warded into the bosom of that faithful and tender brother 
or sister that so admonished them. 

And be it known unto all, we cast out none from 
among us ; for if they go from the Light, and Spirit, and 
Power, in which our unity is, they cast out themselves. 
And it has been our way to admonish them, that they 
may come to that Spirit and Light of God, which they 
are gone from, and so come into the unity again. 

And no condemnation ought to go further than the 
transgression is known ; and if he or she returns, and 
gives forth a paper of condemnation against him or her- 
self, (which is more desirable than that we should do it), 
this is a testimony of his or her repentance and resur- 
rection before God, his people, and the whole world ; as 
David, Psalm li. when Nathan came to admonish him. 

And that no testimony, by way of condemnation, be 
given forth against any man or woman, whatever crime 
they commit, before admonition, and till such time as 
they have had Gospel order, according to Christ's doctrine. 

And so keep the church order of the Gospel, according 
as the Lord Jesus Christ hath commanded ; that is, If 
thy brother offend thee, speak to him betwixt thee and 
him ; and if he will not hear, take two or three : if he 
will not hear two or three, then tell it to the church, &c. 

And if any one do miscarry, admonish them gently 
in the wisdom of God, so that you may preserve him 



GEORGE FOX. 123 

and bring him to condemnation, and preserve him from 
farther evils, which it is well if such do not run into; 
and it will be well for all to use the gentle wisdom of God 
towards them in their temptations, and condemnable 
actions, and with using gentleness to bring them to con- 
demn their evil, and to let their condemnation go as far 
as the bad action has gone, and no farther, to defile the 
minds of friends or others ; and so to clear God's truth 
and people, and to convert the soul to God, and preserve 
them out of further evils. So be wise in the wisdom of God. 

And let no one accuse any one, either in a Monthly or 
Quarterly Meeting, publicly, except they have spoken to 
them by themselves first, and by two or three as before- 
mentioned. 

And, dear friends, let care be taken from time to time, 
as Friends are moved thereunto, for relieving faithful 
Friends' necessities, and for other services of Truth, 
which shall be delivered into the hands of a faithful 
Friend or Friends, (who are desired to be receivers for 
that purpose,) who are to give an account (if it be de- 
sired) of all monies that shall be by them received and 
disbursed, at the next Monthly or Quarterly Meeting- 
after it shall be laid out, and so the account to be ended ; 
that ministering Friends may not be cumbered with out- 
ward things, but kept out of them ; and that what monies 
shall be by them disbursed for the service of poor Friends, 
as aforesaid, shall be disposed of, as Friends of the Monthly 
or Quarterly Meeting see meet to dispose of the same. 

And all Friends, be tender over all Friends that are 
prisoners upon Truth's account, and that are sick and 
weak people, strangers and fatherless, and widows, ser- 
vants and children, whose parents, masters or dames, and 
relations, are not Friends ; keeping in the power of the 
Lord, it will lead you in all things without many words, 



124 EPISTLES, &C. OF 

• 

and bring you to see, and feel, and live in that which was 
before enmity was, or words either. 

And also all widows, in all your several meetings, let 
them be taken notice of, and informed, and encouraged in 
their outward business, that there be not any hindrance 
put to them in their inward growth ; and so be carefully 
looked after, that they may be nourished and cherished, 
and preserved in the Truth, that love may be increased. 
And if they have many children to put out apprentices 
or servants, which may be a burthen to them to bring up, 
then let Friends take care to ease them, by putting them 
forth, as may be seen meet. Let all these things be 
looked into every meeting, and notice thereof given to the 
next Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, and some ordered to 
see, that all these things are done according to truth and 
righteousness. 

And in all your meetings, let notice be given to the 
Quarterly Meeting of all poor Friends. And when ye 
have heard, that there are many more poor belonging to 
one meeting than to another, and that meeting thereby is 
burthened and oppressed, let the rest of the meetings 
assist and help them, so that ye may ease one another, 
and help to bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the 
law r of Christ. 

And now that Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of two 
or three out of every particular meeting of true and faith- 
ful Friends are set up, and kept in the most convenient 
place in the middle of your county, you may know in your 
meetings of the wants and necessities of all Friends, 
whether in bonds or not, widows or fatherless, or aged 
people, their necessities being looked into, and every one 
feeling one another's condition ; this keeps in tenderness 
and love, as a family ; and nothing being lacking amongst 
you, then all is well, every want and necessity beiug sup- 



GEORGE FOX. 



125 



plied. And by this, one meeting may be serviceable to 
another in outward things, for that is the least love ; and 
by this you may come into the practice of the pure 
religion, which is, to relieve the widows, strangers, father- 
less, and helpless. 

And, Friends, all the legacies that are given to the men 
or women's meetings, let them be kept as a public stock 
for the setting forth of apprentices, and setting them up. 

And Friends should have and provide a house for those 
that are distempered. And should have an almshouse or 
hospital for all poor Friends that are past work. 

And to have and provide a house or houses, where an 
hundred may have rooms to work in, and shops of all 
sorts of things to sell, and where widows and young 
women might work and live. 

And, dear Friends, dwell all in the everlasting power 
of God, and his life, in which is both unity, order, peace, 
and fellowship ; and w T ait in the fear of the everlasting 
God, that you may receive his wisdom, which is from 
above, pure, and gentle, by which all things were made ; 
by which wisdom you may order all things to the glory 
of God. The poor, the sick, the widows, the fatherless, 
the prisoner, be tender of, and feel every one's condition 
as your own, and let nothing be lacking amongst you, 
according to the apostle's doctrine to the church of God 
of old time ; and if nothing be lacking, all is well. 

And let all the estates of fatherless children be recorded 
in a book at the Monthly or Quarterly Meeting ; and let 
all that are entrusted with any estates of the fatherless 
and widows, enter their trusts at the Monthly or Quar- 
terly Meetings, that the meeting may see that justice be 
done unto them, and require the Trustees to give an 
account, (if need be,) and to do that which is just and 
equal ; so that there may be no strife about outward 



126 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



things amongst you. And that every one that is en- 
trusted with any widows or fatherless children's estates 
may be faithful, and not fail them in time of need. So 
that righteousness, and justice, and truth, and equity 
may flow down amongst you, and that the wisdom of 
God be among Friends, to order them in all things to his 
glory. 

And all Friends, see that your children be trained up 
in soberness, and holiness, and righteousness, and tempe- 
rance, and meekness, and gentleness, and lowliness, and 
modesty, in their apparel and carriage, and so exhort 
your children and families in the Truth, that the Lord 
may be glorified in all your families. And teach your 
children when they are young ; then will they remember 
it when they are old, according to Solomon's counsel : so 
that your children may be a blessing to you, and not a 
curse. 

And all men and women are to order their children and 
servants in the order of the Gospel, and in the new Cove- 
nant, that they may all come to know the Lord. For 
the outward Jews were to train up their children in the 
old law, in the old Covenant : and so you that are called 
Christians are to train up your children in the fear of the 
Lord, and in Christ Jesus, that they may walk in Him, 
in modesty, and holiness, and virtue. And so all to 
govern their families : and they that are to govern, are to 
be governed and ordered themselves, by the Spirit and 
Power of God, to God's glory, and as examples in their 
families ; for all looseness is out of the Power of God, 
either in word or life. And so by the power of God, and 
his righteousness, and truth, and light, and life, all that 
is to be judged, and kept under and down ; and the truth, 
and the light, and the Spirit of God must be walked in, 
which all looseness is out of. 



GEORGE FOX. 



127 



And so, whatsoever things are of good report, or what- 
soever things are lovely, or whatsoever things are pure, 
and decent, and virtuous, and godly, and righteous, and 
holy, and just, such follow after ; and do the works of 
charity, and not your own, but the good works of hospi- 
tality, which are accepted of God. 

Now concerning those that do go to the Quarterly 
Meeting as representatives, they must be substantial 
Friends, that can give a testimony of your sufferings, and 
how things are amongst you in every particular meeting. 
So that none that are raw or weak, that are not able to 
give a testimony of the affairs of the church and truth, 
may go on behalf of the particular meetings to the Quar- 
terly Meetings, but may be nursed up in your Monthly 
Meetings, and there fitted for the Lord's service. So 
that two may go one time from every particular meeting, 
and two another time, or as it is ordered in your Monthly 
Meetings. So that some may go from all your meetings, 
that make up your Monthly Meetings ; for the Quarterly 
Meeting should be made up of weighty, seasoned, and 
substantial Friends, that understand the business of the 
church ; for no unruly or unseasoned persons should come 
there, nor indeed into the Monthly Meetings, but those 
who are single-hearted, seasoned and honest. 

And if any one should speak or tattle any thing out of 
your Monthly or Quarterly Meetings, to the blemishing 
or defaming any person or the meetings, such are to be 
brought to judgment and condemnation ; for it breaks the 
privilege and order of your Christian society in your 
meetings. 

And the least member in the church hath an office, 
and is serviceable ; and all the members have need one of 
another. 

And now, Friends, as many men's Monthly Meetings 



128 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



as you have in your county, so many women's Monthly 
Meetings you may have ; and if once a year, at least, you 
had a general women's meeting, it would be well ; for in 
some counties they have as many Quarterly women's 
meetings as men's, and in others, they have only two in 
the summer time, because the ways are foul and days 
short in winter. 

And let one or two Friends in every meeting take an 
account of all the marriages, births, and burials, and 
carry them to the Monthly Meetings ; and let one or two 
there be ordered to receive them, and record them there 
in a book, which is to be kept at the Monthly Meetings. 
And from thence a copy of what is recorded there, to be 
brought to the Quarterly Meeting, and let one or two 
Friends be appointed there to receive them, and to record 
them all in one book, which is to be kept for the whole 
county. And this will be most safe, that if one book 
should happen to be lost, the other may be preserved, for 
the use of such as may have occasion. 

And let Friends who are not already provided, speedily 
procure convenient burying places, and that thereby a 
testimony may stand against the superstitious idolizing 
of those places, called holy ground. For Abraham 
bought a place to bury his dead in, and would not bury 
them amongst the Egyptians and Canaanites. And 
J acob was brought out of Egypt, and J oseph ; and they 
were buried in their grandfather and father's burying- 
places. And so, Friends, get decent burying-places for 
your dead, and let them be decently and well fenced, that 
you may show a good example to the world in all things. 

And, dear Friends, do all that you do in peace and 
love, and in the fear of God, condescending one unto 
another, in the simplicity and innocency of Life, and 
Truth, and in the Wisdom of Grod ; for you are called to 



GEORGE FOX. 



129 



peace and holiness, in which the kingdom stands, and to 
serve one another in love. 

And draw up an account of all that have died in prison, 
in every county, for Truth's testimony, and lay them be- 
fore the magistrates ; and so to keep Friends clear from 
the blood of all men. And preserve a list of their suffer- 
ings, together with the number that have died in prison ; 
that their blood may come upon them that have thirsted 
after it, and that their testimony may not be lost, who 
have sealed it with their blood ; but that it may be pre- 
served. And so keep a record of them in your Quarterly 
Meeting books. So that the Memorial of the innocent 
sufferers for the Truth and the Name of Jesus may not 
be lost nor forgotten, that his Name and Power, who hath 
supported them, may be exalted, who hath carried them 
over death, and their persecutors, and the spoiling of their 
goods. 

And all my dear Friends every where, who have been 
moved of the Lord God to speak in steeple-houses to the 
priests, or in markets to the people, or in courts, or fairs, 
or assizes, or towns ; let an account thereof be drawn up 
together in one book, with the substance of their words, 
that they spake in the power of God. This would be a 
book, that may stand to generations, that they may see 
their faithful testimony, and what strength God did 
ordain out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. And 
Friends that have been moved to go to the professors' 
meetings ; that their testimony there may not be lost, 
together with all the examples that have fallen upon the 
persecutors. 

And such testimonies of Friends as are deceased, let 
them be recorded, that so the testimony of the Lord 
through his servants may not be lost, that He raised up 
his people, and for which they were carried through great 

g3 



130 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



tribulations and sufferings ; and many laid down their 
lives, and had their goods spoiled, and were persecuted to 
death, to keep up their testimony : so that those words s 
that they were moved to speak forth by the Power, may 
not be lost ; that the Power and Spirit of the Lord may 
be exalted. And so be diligent, and let those that can 
write, help those that cannot. 

And all public ministers (if unknown) that pass up and 
down the country, and to other nations, must have a cer- 
tificate from their meeting, where they are known, and all 
their practices are looked into ; which will prevent any 
bad spirits, that may scandalize honest men. For they 
that do minister to others, must have a double diligence 
in virtue, and chastity, and patience, and carefulness, and 
watchfulness. 

And dear Friends, live in the peaceable Truth, and 
keep in the heavenly order of the Gospel, and in the go- 
vernment of the heavenly man, of the increase of which 
there is no end ; and walk in the pure and undefiled reli- 
gion, that keeps you from the spots of the world, and in 
the worship of God in the spirit and truth. 

And so, the God of glory, who hath brought Christ 
from the dead, by Him are you quickened and raised from 
the dead, that henceforth you should not live to yourselves, 
but to Him. So walk in Him, who is the Amen, and 
over all — the First and Last. G. F. 

NO. CCLXVIII. 

Not to he over thoughtful of the things of this world. 

Friends, 1669. 

Did not God provide for man and woman before He 
made them \ Did He not make all things in six days \ 



GEORGE FOX. 



131 



And the sixth day He made man in the image of God, in 
righteousness and holiness. And therefore Christ, who 
is the Son of God, who came to restore man into the 
image of God, in righteousness and holiness — doth He 
not reprove such as take thought, and tell them of their 
little faith, and that they cannot add one cubit to the 
stature that God had made ; and that it was the practice 
of the heathens and of the gentiles to take thought I So 
it is clear, before God made man, He took care for him ; 
but after man was fallen from the image of God, and his 
righteousness, he took care and toiled, though he cannot 
add one cubit to his stature in the Lord's work : for thou 
mayst sow thy seed in the ground or garden, thou mavst 
have much cattle, and other things, but yet there is no 
increase but by the Lord, neither of thy seed, nor of thv 
cattle ; for is not the earth the Lord's, and the fulness 
thereof \ Mark — and doth He not give the increase, who 
upholds all things by his Word and Power \ who is the 
Creator of all, and provided for man before He made 
him, and set him in dominion over all the works of his 
hands ; which dominion man lost. Man lost righteous- 
ness and holiness, in his disobeying the command of God, 
which Christ came to restore man to, and set him above 
all again, as he was in the beginning, and up to his own 
state beyond Adam before he fell, to Him that never fell. 
And so all that believe in the Light, as Christ commanded, 
in the Light they see they cannot add one cubit to their 
stature ; and so they come to grow in the faith in Christ 
and in God. And so herein hath the Lord the praise of 
his works ; and all things praise Him, who hath created 
them all to his honour, and to his glory, and to his praise : 
and man to glorify Him in righteousness and holiness, in 
the image of God and of Christ Jesus, above all other 
creatures, in the covenant of God, in the covenant of light 



132 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



and life in Christ J esus, Him by whom the world was 
made ; by Him they praise and please God ; and in their 
pleasing God, they honour God and Christ. 

G. F. 

: ♦ . ' 
no. cclxxv. 

Friends, 1669. 

Dwell in the Living Spirit, and quench not the mo- 
tions of it in yourselves, nor the movings of it in others ; 
though many have run out, and gone beyond their mea- 
sures, yet many more have quenched the measure of 
the Spirit of God, and have become dead and dull, and 
have questioned through a false fear ; so there hath been 
hurt both ways. Therefore be obedient to the power of 
the Lord, and his Spirit ; war with that Philistine that 
would stop up your wells and springs. And the belief in 
the power keeps the spring open, and none to despise 
prophecy, neither to quench the Spirit ; so that all may 
be kept open to the spring, that every one's cup may run 
over. For you may all prophesy one by one, and the 
spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets : would 
all the Lord's people were prophets, said Moses in his 
time, when some found fault ; but the last time is the 
Christian's time : who enjoys the substance, Christ Jesus; 
and his church is called a royal priesthood, offering up 
spiritual sacrifices ; and his church are his believers in 
the Light. And so in the Light every one should have 
something to offer; and to offer an offering in righteous- 
ness to the living God, else they are not priests : and 
such as quench the Spirit cannot offer, but become dull. 
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, in the last 
time, saith the Lord, which is the true Christian's time : 
God's sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young 



GEORGE FOX. 



13:3 



men shall see visions, and old men shall dream dreams ; 
and on my servants and handmaids I will pour out of my 
Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy. Now, 
Friends, if this be fulfilled, servants, handmaids, sons, 
daughters, old men, young men, every one is to feel the 
Spirit of God, by which you may see the things of God, 
and declare them to his praise ; for with the heart man 
doth believe, and with the mouth confession is made unto 
salvation ; first, he has it in his heart, before it comes out 
of his mouth ; and this is beyond that brain-beaten heady 
stuff which man has long studied, about the saints' words 
which the holy men of God spake forth, as they were 
moved of the Holy Ghost. 

So with the Holy Ghost, and with the light and power 
of God, do you build upon Christ, the Foundation, and 
Life; and by the same heavenly Light, and Power, and 
Spirit, do you labour in the vineyard, and do you mi- 
nister and speak forth the things of God, and do you dig 
for your pearls ; therefore bring them forth, and let them 
be seen how they glister. Friends, you see how men and 
women can speak enough for the world, for merchandize, 
for husbandry, the ploughman for his plough ; but when 
they should come to speak for God, they quench the 
Spirit, and do not obey God's will. 

But come, let us see what the wise merchants can say : 
have they found the pearl and field, and purchased the 
field which yields those glorious glistering pearls \ let us 
see, what can you say for God, and that heavenly mer- 
chandize ? What can the ploughman say for God with 
his spiritual plough ?— is the fallow ground ploughed up ? 
has he abundance of the heavenly seed of life ? So what 
can the heavenly husbandman say ? — has he abundance of 
spiritual fruit in store I What can the thresher say I — 
has he gotten the wheat out of the sheaf, the heavenly 



134 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



wheat, with his heavenly flail ? And let us see, what can 
the spiritual ploughman, husbandman, and thresher, say 
for God ; and how they have laboured in the vineyard, 
that they may have their penny ? Some are breakers of 
clods in the vineyard, some are weeders, some are cutting 
off the brambles and bushes, and fitting the ground, and 
cutting up the roots with the heavenly axe for the seed ; 
some are harrowing in, some are gathering and laying up 
the riches. So you may see, here are merchants, plough- 
men, harrowers, weeders, reapers, and threshers, in God's 
vineyard, yet no one is to find fault with another, but 
all labouring in their places, praising the Lord, looking 
to Him for their wages, their heavenly penny of life, 
from the Lord of Life. 

So none are to quench the Spirit, nor to despise pro- 
phecy, lest ye limit the Holy One ; and every one is to 
minister as he hath received the grace, which hath ap- 
peared to all men, wdiich brings salvation ; so that the 
Lord's grace, his light, and truth, and Spirit, and power, 
may have the passage and the rule in all men and women; 
that by it and from it in all, He may have the glory, 
who is blessed for ever and for ever. The Lord hath 
said : From the rising of the sun to the going down of 
the same, my Name shall be great among the Gentiles. 
Now mark, Friends, this is a large space, wherein God's 
Name shall be great ; and the Lord further saith : In 
every place, incense shall be offered unto my Name, and 
a pure offering ; for my Name shall be great among the 
heathen, saith the Lord of hosts. Now mark, Friends, 
this heavenly incense, and pure offering, is a spiritual offer- 
ing, which is to be offered by the Spirit to God, who is a 
Spirit ; then here none quenches the Spirit of God in his 
own heart ; and all such come under the title of the royal 
priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices ; which royal 
priesthood has a Priest that lives for ever, Christ Jesus. 



GEORGE FOX. 



135 



And, Friends, do not quench the Spirit, nor abuse the 
Power : when it moves and stirs in you, be obedient ; 
but do not go beyond, nor add to it, nor take from it ; 
for if you do, you are reproved, either for going beyond, 
or taking from it. And when any have spoken forth the 
things of the Lord, by his Power and Spirit, let them 
keep in the Power and Spirit that keeps them in the 
humility, that when they have spoken forth the things of 
God, they are neither higher nor lower, but still keep in 
the power, before and after ; and being obedient to the 
Spirit and Power of God, it keeps them from deadness, 
and alive to God, and keeps them in a sense that they do 
not go beyond and run out, as some you know have done : 
and all that hath come for want of living in the power of 
God, and in his Spirit, which keeps all things in subjec- 
tion and in order, and in the true fear of the Lord, 
always to feel the presence of the Lord with you. 

Come fishermen what have you caught with your nets I 
What can you say for God ? Your brethren Peter and 
John, fishermen, could say much for God \ Read in the 
Acts and you may see ; I would not have you degenerate 
from their spirit. 

Shepherds and herdsmen, where are you \ What can 
you say now for God, whose abiding is much in the 
fields? David, Jacob, and Amos, your fellow-shepherds 
and herdsmen, (do not you see ?) they could say much 
for God ; I would have you to be like them, and not to 
degenerate from their spirit. 

Come, tradesmen, tent-makers, physicians, and custom- 
men, what can you say for God I Do not you read that 
your fellow-tradesmen in ages past could say much for 
God? Do not degenerate from their spirit. Do not 
you remember the accusations of the wise and learned 
Grecians, when the apostles preached Christ among 
them, that they were called poor tradesmen and fisher- 



136 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



men? Therefore be faithful. The preachers of Jesus 
Christ now, are the same to the wise of the world as 
then. G. F. 

♦ 



no. cclxxvii. 

My dear Friends, 1669. 

When you were formerly in a profession, you took 
your servants, your apprentices, your children, along 
with you to your places of worship. And now that you 
are come to Truth, and are convinced that the same is 
the Truth of God, through which you come to have a 
portion and inheritance of life and salvation, and of a 
kingdom and world which have no end, and into a posses- 
sion of that which formerly you did profess in words ; — 
now therefore, Friends, you that are come to this pos- 
session, and go into the assemblies of the people of God, 
that are gathered into his Name, (where salvation is, and 
in no other name under heaven, but in the Name of 
Jesus Christ), is it not more reputable for you, to take 
your servants, apprentices, children, and maidens along 
with you to the meetings, to be partakers of the eternal 
Truth, that they may have a possession with you of the 
same that you do possess ? For, if you should leave 
them behind, and be careless of them, there are many of 
them apt to run into liberty, and to looseness, and to 
plays, and to tippling-houses, and so into loose company. 
Such liberty hath been a great hurt to youth, and the 
Truth hath been much dishonoured thereby : and such 
do not only lose the wisdom of God, and the true under- 
standing given to them by his Son, but the reason of 
men, in these practices. 

And then afterwards you may come to find fault with 
your servants, children, &c, and for a small matter put 



GEORGE FOX. 



137 



some of them away, when the fault is in yourselves, that 
you did not take them along with you to the meetings, 
and govern them in the wisdom of God, and true under- 
standing and knowledge ; which is, to know the true God, 
and his Son Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent ; whom to 
know is Life Eternal. For truly my life hath been often 
burdened through the want of restraining servants and 
children of that liberty they run into ; wherein you 
should be more prudent, wise, and careful, and should 
keep more in your dominion and authority, in the Life, 
Power, and Seed, in which you have the true wisdom, 
knowledge, and understanding. 

Therefore consider of these things in all your families, 
and remember the time of your former professions, 
wherein you so exercised the reason of men, as to bring 
your servants, &c, to an outw T ard profession. Now on 
being come to a possession of Life, take heed lest you lose 
the right reason, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. 
Therefore rouse up yourselves, that you may exercise the 
right wisdom and understanding in that which lives for 
ever, and is and will remain when all the contrary is 
gone ; into which all must be brought ; that therein you 
may be good patterns and examples in all your families, 
and bring them forth with you to your meetings ; that 
they may find the substance of that which you did for- 
merly profess in words. And now you enjoy the sub- 
stance be more careful, be more diligent and circumspect, 
that God may be glorified throughout all your families, 
and his Name may be called upon, and honoured, and ex- 
alted, who is God over all, blessed for ever. 

And Friends, some among you breed up your children 
in such a rude, heady way, that when they grow up, they 
do not matter you, nor care for you ; so they are not a 
blessing and a comfort to you ; but in many things they 



138 EPISTLES, &C. OF 

are worse than many of the world's, more loose, stubborn, 
and disobedient : so that when they come to be set ap- 
prentice, many times they run quite out into the world : 
Truth brings more into humility, and meekness, and 
gentleness, and tenderness. And therefore, by the power, 
and life, and wisdom of God, these things you must take 
notice of, that all such may be brought into, and kept in 
subjection by, the power of God, that God may be 
honoured and glorified, through the breaking of the stub- 
born will in them, and subjecting them to Truth ; and let 
them all know their places, and not to give way to that 
which may get over you ; so that you will not know how 
to rule them at last, and they will bring a grief, and 
sorrow, and trouble upon you, as too many examples may 
be seen. 

Therefore while they are young restrain them from 
such things, and every one in the life, and power, and 
seed of Truth, keep your authority, and lose not the true 
wisdom and understanding given you by Christ, nor the 
true knowledge, nor true reason, which gives to distinguish 
good from bad ; but in all things keep your authority 
which is given to you of God, and your places in it ; for 
they that fear and worship the Lord, shall have a place 
with Him. And in the power, and life, and wisdom of 
God, you will breed up and govern your sons and 
daughters, servants and apprentices, and cause them to 
keep in their places ; and in the power of God answer the 
good in them all. For an outward father or mother, over 
their families, apprentices, and maidens, are to keep all 
things that are outward, civil, and subject in their places, 
with reason and true wisdom. 

And such as come to be fathers in the Truth, are to 
train up their families in the Truth, and to exercise that 
wisdom, and that knowledge and understanding, which 



GEORGE FOX. 



139 



are beyond the outward. Therefore they should train 
them up, not in the eye-service of men, but in serving 
the Lord in righteousness and diligence, in their services : 
that they may be partakers of the heavenly life, and come 
to be heirs of salvation, and children of the promise, and 
sons and daughters of Sion, to whom Christ is elect and 
precious ; and through Him their conversations may be 
brought up into heavenly things, and their minds and 
affections be set on things above, that God may be glori- 
fied throughout all your families, who is blessed for ever. 

G. F. 

+ 

NO. CCLXXXIII. 

To Friends at Bristol in time of suffering. 

The 2nd of the Eleventh Month, 1670. 

Dear Friends, 

Now is the time for you to stand ; therefore put on the 
whole armour of God, from the crown of the head unto 
the soles of your feet, that you may stand in the posses- 
sion of life. And you that have been public men, and 
formerly did travel abroad, mind to keep up your testi- 
mony, both in the city and in the country, that you may 
encourage Friends to keep up their meetings as usual : so 
that none faint in the time of trial ; but that all may be 
encouraged, both small and great, to stand faithful to the 
Lord God, and his power and truth ; that their heads 
may not sink in the storms, but may be kept up above the 
waves. So, go into your meeting places as at other times. 
And keep up your public testimony, and visit Friends 
thereabouts, now in this time of storm ; for there is your 
crown, in the universal Power and Spirit of God. So let 
your minds, and souls, and hearts, be kept above all out- 
ward and visible things. 



140 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



Few travel now in the country : it may be well to visit 
Friends there, lest any should faint. Stir up one another 
in that which is good, and to faithfulness in the Truth, 
this day. And let your minds be kept above all visible 
things ; for God took care for man in the beginning, and 
set him above the works of his hands. And therefore 
mind the heavenly treasure, that will never fade away. 

It is hard for me to give forth in writing what is before 
me, because of my bodily weakness ; but I was desirous 
in some measure to ease my mind, desiring that you may 
stand fast, and faithful to Truth. Of my travels and 
weakness it is likely you have heard, and of my afflic- 
tions, both by them that are without and also by them 
that are within, which are hard to be uttered and spoken. 
My love is to all faithful Friends. 

G. F. 

♦ 

NO. CCXCI. 

To all Women's Meetings. 

Friends, 1672. 

Keep your women's meetings in the power of God, 
and take your possession of that which you are heirs of, 
and keep the Gospel order. For man and woman w T ere 
helps meet in the image of God, and in righteousness and 
holiness, in the dominion before they fell ; but after the 
fall, in the transgression, the man was to rule over his 
wife ; but in the restoration by Christ, into the image of 
God, and his righteousness and holiness again, in that 
they are helps meet, man and woman, as they were 
before the fall. Sarah obeyed Abraham, and called him 
lord. Abraham did also obey the voice of his w T ife 
Sarah, in casting out the bondwoman and her son. 



GEORGE FOX. 



141 



Dorcas, a woman, was a disciple. So there was a woman 
disciple, as well as men disciples ; and mind the women 
that accompanied her. And women are to take up the 
cross daily, and follow Christ daily, as well as the men ; 
and so to be taught of Him their Prophet, and fed of 
Him their Shepherd, and counselled of Him their Coun- 
sellor, and sanctified by Him who offered Himself once 
for all. And there were elder women in the Truth as 
well as elder men in the Truth ; so they have an office as 
well as the men, for they have a stewardship, and must 
give an account of their stewardship to the Lord, as well 
as the men. 

Deborah was a judge ; Miriam and Huldah were pro- 
phetesses ; old Anna was a prophetess, and a preacher of 
Christ, to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusa- 
lem. Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary, were the 
first preachers of Christ's resurrection to the disciples, 
and the disciples could not believe their message and 
testimony that they had from Jesus, as some now a days 
cannot; but they received the command, and being sent 
preached it. So is every woman and man to do, that 
sees Him risen, and has the command and message • 
daughters shall prophesy as well as sons. So they are to 
be obedient that have the Spirit poured upon them. 
Women are to prophesy ; and prophecy is not to be 
quenched. They that have the testimony of Jesus are 
commanded to keep it, whether men or women. Priscilla 
and Aquila were both exhorters and expounders, or in- 
structers to Apollos. So in the church there were women 
instructers, and prophetesses, and daughters prophetesses 
in the church ; for Philip had four virgins that were pro- 
phetesses ; and there were women disciples in the church, 
and women elders in the church, as well as men. So 
women are to keep in the government of Christ, and to 



142 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



be obeyers of Christ ; and women are to keep the comelv 
order of the Gospel, as well as men ; and to see that all 
that have received Christ J esus, do walk in Christ Jesus ; 
and to see that all that have received the Gospel, do walk 
in the Gospel, the power of God which they are heirs of. 
I say, they are heirs of the comely order of the Gospel ; 
and therefore, I say, take your possessions of it, and 
walk as becomes the Gospel ; and keep the comely order 
of it, and in it keep your meetings. And here is the 
ground and foundation of our women's meetings. 

Now mothers of families, that have the ordering of 
children, maids, and servants, may do a great deal of 
good or harm in their families, to the making or spoiling 
of children, maids, and servants ; and many things 
women may do and speak of amongst women, which are 
not men's business. So men and women become helps 
meet in the image of God. 

And the elder women in the Truth were not only 
called elders, but mothers. Now a mother in the church 
of Christ, and a mother in Israel, is one that nourishes, 
and feeds, and washes, and rules, and is a teacher in the 
Church, and in the Israel of God, and an admonisher, an 
instructor, an exhorter. So the elder women and mothers 
are to be teachers of good things, and to be teachers of 
the younger and trainers up of them in virtue, in holi- 
ness, in godliness and righteousness, in wisdom, and in 
the fear of the Lord, in the church of Christ. And if 
the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believing 
wife, then who is the speaker, and who is the hearer? 
Surely such a woman is permitted to speak, and to work 
the works of God, and to make a member in the church ; 
and then as an elder, to oversee that they walk according 
to the order of the GrospeL 

G. F. 



GEORGE FOX. 



143 



SO. CCXCII. 

To Friends in New England, Virginia, and Barhadoes. 
Dear Friexds, 1672. 

Be faithful in the power of the Lord God, in what you 
know, and then the Lord will preserve you ; that you 
may answ T er the witness of God in every man, whether 
they are the heathen, that do not profess Christ ; or 
whether they are such as do profess Christ, that have the 
form of godliness, and are out of the power. And keep 
your meetings, you that know the power of the Lord and 
feel it, that in it you may have unity with God, and one 
with another. The Lord God hath a seed in those parts, 
who shall be heirs of his grace, that brings salvation, 
w T hieh grace is it that teacheth, in which grace they sing 
praises to the Lord. So, now you who are come to the 
dawning of the day, and to the ending of the night of the 
apostacy ; happy and blessed are you, who are come to 
see the hidden mysteries of God revealed, and his glorious 
riches to the Gentiles, through the pow r er of an endless 
life. 

And you that are and have been faithful, spread the 
Truth abroad ; let not principalities and powders separate 
you from the love of God, which you have in Christ 
Jesus, who hath all power in heaven and earth given unto 
Him : mind his reign, his teaching, his kingdom, which 
hath no end ; for God hath some to be brought out from 
amongst those heathens, if you be faithful among them, 
answering the witness of God in them ; for, as the Lord 
saith, I will give Him for a covenant to the Gentiles : who 
are called heathens. And as any are moved to go amongst 
the heathen, in the power and love of God, to preach the 
Gospel, which is the love of God to them, bring them to 



144 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



the power of God ; to that God who is the God of the 
stones, which they make idols of, and the God of the 
trees, earth, brass, silver, iron, and gold, which they make 
gods of ; who is the living God ; for those are dead gods 
that are made with men's hands. 

He is the Living God who clothes the earth with grass 
and herbs, and causes the trees to grow, and bring forth 
food for you, and makes the fishes of the sea to breathe 
and live, and makes the fowls of the air to breed, and 
causes the roe and the hind, and the creatures and all the 
beasts of the earth to increase, whereby they may be food 
for you. He is the Living God, and causes the stars to 
arise in the night, to give you light, and the moon to 
arise to be a light in the night. He is the Living. God, 
that causes the sun to give warmth unto you, to nourish 
you when you are cold. He is the Living God, that 
causes the snow and frost to melt, and causes the rain to 
water the plants. He is the Living God that made the 
heaven and the earth, and the clouds ; and causes the 
springs to break out of the rocks, and who divided the 
great sea from the earth, and the light from the dark- 
ness, and divided the great waters from the earth ; and 
gathered them together ; which great waters He called 
sea, and the dry land earth. He is to be worshipped 
that doth this : He is the Living God who gives unto 
you breath, and life, and strength, and gives you beasts 
and cattle, whereby you may be fed and clothed : He is 
the living God, and He is to be worshipped. And that 
which gives you to be sensible of Him, and to know Him, 
is that which convinceth you in your hearts of sin and 
unrighteousness. 

So all gods that are made of stone, mortar, wood, 
silver, brass, iron, or gold, are not the Living God, but 
are made of men's hands ; and the Living God is He 



GEORGE FOX. 



145 



who gives you life, and breath, and strength, and all 
things that are good ; and would have you to feel after 
Him, with that which checks you for sin and evil ; and 
would have you to worship Him in spirit, and serve 
Him who is holy and righteous, and to live in peace ; 
He hath promised that He will give Christ Jesus for 
a covenant of light and peace, to you who are called 
gentiles and heathens. And now is the day approach- 
ing to you, (this covenant of Light), by which you shall 
come to have peace with the Lord God, the King of the 
whole earth. This is the King of kings and Lord of 
lords, in whose hand is the breath of all mankind. This 
is the God of the spirits of all flesh, who hath made all 
nations of mankind of one blood, to dwell upon the face 
of the earth. And Christ, the Second Adam, the Lord 
from heaven, saves men from sin ; who is the Prince of 
Peace, and of Life, and the Covenant of God ; who 
brings men to have peace with God, and one with 
another, who destroys the devil, the author of strife. 
This is Christ, the Second Adam, who brings the sons 
and daughters of Adam, into reconciliation with God 
again, and destroys sin, and finishes it, and makes recon- 
ciliation for sin and iniquity. 

G. F. 

■» 

NO. CCXCIII. 

To Friends in Barbadoes. 

Dear Friends, 1672. 

To whom is my love in the Lord Jesus Christ, by 
whom all things were made, and by whom all things do 
consist, and who filleth all things, and doth uphold all by 
his word and power ; who is the first and last, the holy 

H 



146 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



Head of his holy church ; and the Door into the holy 
way, for his holy people to walk in ; and the setter up of 
a holy worship in the Holy Spirit and Truth, to worship 
the Holy God in ; and the setter up of a holy religion, 
to keep from the spots of the world ; which religion is 
pure in his sight. 

And therefore, all Friends, in your men and women's 
meetings, be faithful, and see that you do grow in the 
truth and power of godliness ; and witness your renew- 
ings into the heavenly image of Him that created you ; 
and that you all may be fruitful in the knowledge and 
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the orderer of all 
things ; and wear his livery and fine linen, the righte- 
ousness of Christ ; and hold forth his ensign and his 
standard, so that none may be carnally, but spiritually 
minded. And walk as becomes the glorious order of the 
Gospel, having the water of life in your cisterns, and the 
bread of life in your tabernacles, and fruit on your trees, 
to the praise of God. Amen. 

And do not neglect your family meetings, among your 
whites and negroes, but do your diligence and duty to 
God and them ; which you will not neglect, if you keep 
in the faith of Abraham, and of the blessed seed which 
inheriteth the crown. And be at peace among your- 
selves, that you may show that you are in Christ the 
Prince of Peace ; and that doth show that you are the 
disciples of Christ, and learners and followers of Him. 
So possess Him who is life eternal. Amen. 

And your love and kindness towards us, the Lord re- 
double it of his mercy into your bosoms. We are all 
pretty well. We have had great travail by land and sea, 
and rivers and bays and creeks, in New England, Jersey, 
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Carolina ; where we have 
had great service, among Friends, and governors, and 



GEORGE FOX. 



147 



others, and with the Indians, and their kings and 
emperor. Oh ! blessed be the Lord God Almighty, who 
is over all, and over all giveth dominion : and glory be 
to his great Name for ever ! Amen. 

G. F. 

♦ — ; — 

NO. CCXCIX. 

To Friends at Jamaica. 

Friends, 1673. 

We do hear that some, professing Truth amongst you, 
do not keep to your meetings so diligently as they ought 
to do, and that but few of you meet together on the First 
days. And the reason is, that upon the First days some 
of you write and make up your accounts ; so that you 
cannot have time to go to and frequent the meetings. 
Truly, Friends, this is an ill savour to come over here 
into England, and shows that you mind your own busi- 
ness more than the Lord's, and the things of this life 
more than the things that appertain to the life that is 
without end ; which should be sought for first, if you 
desire to be blessed and to prosper. And if you do not, 
you will grow loose, and wither, and not have the bless- 
ing of God with you ; you cannot expect it. The Lord, 
I say, will not, in so doing, prosper you. 

And therefore, in the Name of Christ Jesus, keep 
your meetings. And let there be meetings on the week 
days, and also men's meetings, to see that nothing be 
lacking among you, once in a fortnight ; and likewise a 
women's meeting, though there be but a few. For you 
that have seen the order of Truth in England, and other 
places, how can you go out of the practice of it, without 
growing wild and withering ? That so men and women 

h 2 



148 



EPISTLES j &C. OF 



in their distinct places, may be helps-meet in govern- 
ment. So that you may feel the presence of the Lord 
with you. And that all Friends may be invited to the 
meetings ; and that you may be good examples and 
patterns unto all in the island, in righteous dealing and 
doings, in weights and measures. And keep to the 
sound language, and the honour that you have received 
from above ; so let your lives and conversations preach in 
virtue, righteousness, and holiness, that God may be 
glorified through you, and among you all. And when 
you have got up your First days' and weekly meetings, 
and men and women's meetings, in the power of God, 
which will preserve you in the truth and righteousness, 
see that nothing be lacking among you ; then send word 
over how things are with you, how Truth spreads and 
prospers, from your men and women's meetings, to the 
men and women's meetings in Old England. So no more 
but mv love. G. F. 
♦ — — 

NO. CCCII. 

1673. 

To all Friends that live in the Truth, and by it are 
brought out of the world's vain fashions and customs, in 
their feastings, and revellings, and banquetings, and 
wakes, and other vain feastings, where they spoil the 
creatures, and dishonour the Lord God more on those 
times and days, which they call holy days and feast 
days, than any other times and days ; — you that are 
brought out of such things, and do see the vanity and 
folly of them ; and likewise of all the extravagant 
feastings of companies in corporations, and of making 
feasts, when the masters of companies are chosen, and 
constables, and headboroughs ; you see their vanity, and 



GEORGE FOX. 



149 



their folly and madness, in their destroying of the crea- 
tures, to the reproach of Christianity, and the dishonour 
of God, and the blaspheming of his Name ; — I say unto 
you, mind and practise Christ's words, as you may read 
in Luke xiii. 14 : Christ saith, " When thou makest a 
dinner, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither 
thy kinsfolks, nor thy rich neighbours, lest they also 
bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee ; but 
when thou dost make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, 
the lame, and the blind, and thou shalt be blessed ; for 
they cannot recompense thee again, but thou shalt be re- 
compensed at the resurrection of the just.'' 

So here you may see how Christ ordereth you to make 
a feast or a dinner, and to whom, contrary to the world ; 
and it is to be obeyed and observed and practised ; for 
it is the Heavenly Man's doctrine and command and 
will, and he that doth it shall know his doctrine ; and 
this will judge the world in their vain feasts, dinners and 
suppers, which they make for the rich, for which they 
have self-reward ; but Christ's command being obeyed, 
denieth self, and hath the Lord's recompense ; and all 
that call Him Lord, should do as the Lord commandeth ; 
and they that are his disciples, and do love Him, will 
keep his commands ; for saith Christ : " If you love 
them that love you, what thank have you ? for sinners 
also love those that love them. And if you do good to 
them that do good to you, what thank have you I For 
sinners also do even the same. So give and it shall be 
given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken 
together and running over into your bosoms and the 
Lord is kind to the unthankful, and therefore " be ye 
merciful, as your Heavenly Father is merciful." LulceV\. 

G. F. 



150 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. CCCIV. 

To Friends in Virginia. 
Dear Friends, Worcester, 1673. 

I am glad of the increase of Truth amongst you ; and 
may the Lord prosper his work, and increase people in 
his knowledge, who will fulfil his promise, that, in the 
New Covenant, the knowledge of the Lord shall cover 
the earth as the water covers the sea. In the old cove- 
nant, the word was to Jacob, and the statutes to Israel ; 
the like was not to other nations, but the New Covenant 
is to all nations, Jews and Gentiles : for I will give Him 
for a covenant of Light to the gentiles ; and He shall be 
my salvation to the ends of the earth ; therefore He 
saith : Look unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be 
ye saved. And there is no salvation by any other name 
under heaven, but by the Name of J esus, which signifies 
Saviour. And in his Name keep your men and 
women's, and all your other meetings, that you may feel 
Him in the midst of you, exercising his offices ; as He 
is a Prophet, whom God has raised up to open to you ; 
— and as He is a Shepherd, who has laid down his life 
for you, to feed you, so hear his voice ; and as He is a 
Counsellor, and a Commander, follow Him and his 
counsel ; and also as He is a Bishop, to oversee you with 
his heavenly Power and Spirit — and as He is a Priest, 
who offered Himself for you, who is made higher than 
the heavens ; who sanctifies his people, his church, and 
presents them to God without blemish, spot ; or wrinkle : 
so, I say, know him in all his offices, exercising them 
amongst you, and in you. 

I am glad to hear of some of your diligence, in taking 
that great journey to Carolina through the woods ; for 



GEORGE FOX. 



151 



if you visit them sometimes, it would be well. And 
there is a people at that place you call New Country as 
you go to Carolina, who had a great desire to see me, 
amongst whom I had a meeting. I received letters, 
giving me an account of the service some of you had 
with and amongst the Indian king, and his counsel ; and 
if you go over again to Carolina, you may inquire of 
Captain Batts, the old governor, with whom I left a 
paper to be read to the Emperor, and his thirty kings 
under him of the Tusrowres, who were to come to treat 
for peace with the people of Carolina ; whether he did 
read it to them or not. Remember me to Major-General 
Benett, and Colonel Dew, and the rest of the justices 
who were friendly and courteous to me, when I was 
there, and came to meetings ; and tell them, that I can 
not but remember their civility and moderation, when I 
was amongst them. And so the Lord redouble into 
your hearts and theirs, the love and kindness which they 
and you showed unto me. I have been a prisoner here 
about these eight months, and now I am premunired, 
because I cannot take an oath ; but the Lord's Seed and 
Power is over all ; blessed be his Name for ever ; and 
glory and honour to Him who is over all, and is worthy 
of all ! G. F. 

■ » 

NO. CCCVIII. 

1674. 

My dear friends in England, and all parts of the world ; 
the Gospel, which is the power of God, which you have 
received from the beginning, keep in it, and the fellowship 
of it ; in which there is neither sect, nor schism, but an 
everlasting fellowship, and an everlasting order. 

And at your general assemblies of the ministry at 



152 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



London or elsewhere, examine, as it was at the first, 
whether all the ministers that go forth into the countries, 
do walk as becomes the Gospel : for that you know was 
one end of that meeting, to prevent and take away 
scandal ; and to examine, whether all who preach Christ 
Jesus, do keep in his government, and in the order of the 
Gospel, and to exhort them that do not : for the founda- 
tion is already laid, which is Christ, and his government 
is set up ; of the increase of which there is no end. Had 
those called Christians kept in his order and government, 
they had not troubled themselves and others with so 
many disorders ; so if you keep in the gospel order, and 
government of Christ Jesus, you will keep out of the 
apostacy, which they have been in, and the many false 
orders and governments, that they went into, and made 
one against another, when they went from the true ; as 
you may see in the Scriptures of Truth, that it was some 
high Cain and Corah-like spirits that did so ; for Cain 
was able to build a city : and Corah, that opposed the 
chief leader Moses, was of the princes of the people : and 
so these opposed, with their many orders, the true order : 
and Balaam, that was able to teach a nation, and prophesy 
before a king, made the children of Israel to stumble by 
his bad counsel. These were men of esteem — these are 
they the world went after — these came to ride upon the 
people; and such as these opposed Abel, Moses, and 
Christ, the Leader and Governor, and his apostles, and 
set up the many orders and governments in their churches, 
and broke all into sects. And therefore it concerns all 
that profess themselves to be ministers, to be humble, 
else they are no learners of Christ ; not to be harsh nor 
high-minded, but walk as examples amongst God's flock, 
and not to be lords over Gods inheritance; but let Him 
be Lord whose right it is, &c. 



GEORGE FOX. 



And you have known the manner of my life, the best 
part of thirty years, since I went forth, and forsook all 
things ; I sought not myself, I sought you and Ms glory 
that sent me ; and when I turned you to Him, that is 
able to save you, I left you to Him. And my travails 
have been great, in hungers and colds, when there were 
few, for the first six or seven years ; that I often lay in 
woods and on commons in the night ; that many times it 
was as a by-word, that I would not come into houses, and 
lie in their beds ; and the prisons have been made my 
home a great part of my time, and I have been in danger 
of my life, and in jeopardy daily. And amongst you I 
have made myself of no reputation, to keep the Truth up 
in reputation, as you all very well know, that are in the 
fear of God. With the low, I made myself low; and 
with the weak and feeble, I was as one with them, and 
condescended to all conditions ; for the Lord had fitted 
me so to do before He sent me forth ; and so I passed 
through great sufferings in my body, as you have been 
sensible. 

And few at the first took care for the establishing of 
■men and women's meetings, though they were generally 
owned when they understood them ; but the everlasting 
God, who sent me forth by his everlasting power first to 
declare his everlasting Gospel ; and when people had re- 
ceived the Gospel, moved me to go through the nation, 
to advise them to set up the men's meetings, and the 
women's ; many of which were set up ; and I was moved 
to write to other places, for them to do the like. So that 
all now, in the restoration by Christ Jesus into the image 
of God, may be helps-meet in holiness and righteousness ; 
for in the church of Christ, where He is head, there is his 
Gospel, and his order, and his government ; there his 
power is felt in every one's heart, and there are the offices 

h 3 



154 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



of admonishing, rebuking, exhorting, reproving, amongst 
them that are convinced and converted, by them that are 
in the power ; for there are several states. So they that 
would not have people to be admonished, who go under 
the name of Truth, and yet go into sin and wickedness — 
those are out of the gospel order, and government of 
Christ Jesus, and of loose mind themselves, and would 
set up themselves, and be lords : but that spirit is for 
judgment, for it is out of the power of God, and out of 
the Spirit in which is the fellowship. 

G. F. 

♦ 

NO. CCCX. 

Friends, 1674. 

In every thing give thanks to the Lord ; for from 
Him you do receive every good thing ; the Apostle saith, 
1 Thess. v. 18: 44 In every thing give thanks:" for this 
is the will of God in J esus Christ concerning you ; and 
they that do not obey this doctrine, do not do the will of 
God in Christ Jesus. And the Apostle saith: 44 Every 
creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it 
be received with thanksgiving,'" &c. — 1 Tim. iv. 4. And 
David saith : 44 At midnight I will rise to give thee 
thanks, because of thy righteous judgments. " — Psalm 
cxix. 62. And David saith, 4 6 give thanks unto the 
Lord, for He is good, because his mercy endureth for 
ever!" — Psalm cxviii. 1. So the Lord is worthy of all 
thanks and praises, through J esus Christ, who created all 
by J esus Christ, to his glory and honour for evermore, 

G. F. 



GEORGE FOX. 



155 



NO. CCCXV. 

To Friends at Barladoes. 
Dear Friends, 1675. 

To whom is my love in the holy Truth — my desire is, 
that you may all be valiant for it, against all deceit, that 
the camp of God may be kept clean ; and all may be 
faithful in your testimonies of light and life, against all 
those things which have come up in this night of apostacy 
from the light, life, and power of God. 

Great persecutions are in most counties in England, 
and many are imprisoned in many places, and their goods 
spoiled. But w r e had a very large Yearly Meeting here, 
and very peaceable and quiet. And the Lord's power 
and presence was richly manifest in our meetings ; and 
the Lord wonderfully supports Friends in all their trials 
and sufferings ; and Friends generally are in much love 
and unity one with another. 

Now, Friends, we desire that, at your Quarterly Meet- 
ing, you may write over an epistle to the Yearly Meeting 
in London, of the affairs of the Church of Christ, and 
the prosperity and the spreading of his Truth there ; for 
we had a large epistle from the Half-year's Meeting in 
Ireland, which declares, that Friends were all in unity 
there ; and likewise an account w 7 as given from Scotland, 
that Friends were in unity there ; and likewise an epistle 
was read in our Yearly Meeting here, from the Yearly 
Meeting in Holland, which gives an account, that Friends 
are in love and unity there ; and in Friesland, Germany, 
and other places. At Embden and Dantzick, they are 
under great persecution ; and we have lately a new meet- 
ing set up beyond Holland, which has been under much 
suffering and persecution, but they stand faithful to the 
Lord, And at Algiers, in the Turks 1 country, Friends 



156 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



who are captives there, have set up a meeting amongst 
themselves ; about twenty Friends ; and some other of 
the captives have been convinced at that meeting. 

And one Thomas Tilby, a captive Friend, hath a 
testimony for God, and speaks there among them ; and 
their patroons, or masters, let them meet ; and one of 
their masters spoke to a Friend, as he was going to a 
meeting, and thought he had been going to a public tip- 
pling house, and he stopped him, and asked him whither 
he was going ; and he told him, to worship the great 
God ; and he said, it was well, and let him go : and 
some of the Turks said, they had some among them of 
their people that would not buy stolen goods. I have 
written a large epistle to them to encourage them, and 
that they might preach the gospel abroad in those parts, 
both in their words, lives, and conversations, and this 
meeting among the Turks may be of great service. 

And now, Friends, all be careful of God's glory, and 
seek the good one of another ; and strive all to be of one 
mind and heart, and that the peace and gentle wisdom 
of God may order you all. And be courteous, and kind, 
and tender-hearted one to another ; and so the Lord 
God Almighty, in his Holy Spirit, preserve you all in 
unity and fellowship one with another. Amen. 

And, Friends, you may send a copy of this to the 
Caribbee Islands, to be read in their Quarterly Meetings ; 
and you may read it in your own. . G. F. 

<» 

NO. CCCXIX. 

To Friends in Nevis, and the Caribbee Islands 

Dear Friends, Swarthmore, 5th of Ninth Month, 1675. 

To you all in Nevis, and the Caribbee Islands there- 
abouts. I have seen a letter from some of you, wherein 



GEORGE FOX. 



157 



I understand that there has been some scruple concern- 
ing watching or sending forth watchmen in your own 
way. 

Truly, Friends, this I declare to you, that it is a great 
mercy of the Lord, to subject the governor's mind so 
much by his power and Truth, that he will permit you 
to watch in your own way, without carrying arms ; 
which is a very civil thing, and to be taken notice of. 
For, could Friends have obtained the same in Jamaica, 
and other places, they would willingly have done it, and 
did proffer themselves for to do it, to the governors. 
But because that they would not bring swords and guns, 
and other arms, to watch against the Spaniards, as 
they pretended, their standing fine was about seventeen 
shillings each man's neglect ; but they took often thirty 
shillings-worth for it, and tied some of them neck and 
heels besides, till the blood hath come forth at their 
mouths, noses, and ears. And this I have seen upon 
record of those who freely proffered to watch in their 
own way, but it would not be accepted. And in other 
places, it hath been the same. 

And now as for watching in itself. Don't you watch 
your plantations against thieves in the night ? And are 
not common watches set to discover thieves in the towns, 
or house-breakers, or such as might wickedly fire houses \ 
Such civil things we are subject to ; and do submit our- 
selves, for conscience' sake, unto every such ordinance of 
man, which is for the punishment of evil doers, and for 
the praise of them that do well. 

Now those evil doers that may rob your plantations or 
houses, you complain to the magistrates for the punish- 
ment of them, though you cannot swear against them ; 
or if the Indians come to rob your plantations or houses, 
you complain to the magistrates for the punishment of 



158 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



such evil doers, to stop them, which magistrates are for 
the praise of them that do well. So this watching is for 
preventing thieves and murderers, and stopping the burn- 
ing of houses. So we do submit to every such ordinance 
of men for the Lord's sake ; for the Apostle exhorted to 
submission, " whether it be to the King, as supreme, or 
governors, as unto them that are sent by him, for the 
punishing of the evil doers, and for the praise of them that 
do well ; for so is the will of God, that w T ith well doing 
you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men ; as 
free, not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, 
but as servants of God so that justice, and truth, and 
righteousness, may be set upon the unrighteous and un- 
just ; not using this liberty for a cloak of unrighteousness 
to any one, but as servants in the righteousness of the 
righteous God ; as you may see in 1 Peter ii. 13, and in 
Titus iii. 1 : " Put them in mind to obey magistrates, 
and to be ready to every good work. 51 Mark, every good 
work ; that is, against the evil, as drunkenness, murder, 
whoredom, and all manner of uncleanness. 

So far we can obey them, in the Lord's power and 
truth, as they act against the evil, and that which dis- 
honours God; and if they act against the good, or if 
they would compel us to those things which are matter 
of conscience in us towards God, we resist not, but suffer 
under them. 

For if any should come to burn your house, or rob 
you, or come to ravish your wives or daughters, or a 
company should come to fire a city or town, or come to 
kill people ; won't you watch against such evil things in 
the power of God in your own way ? You cannot but 
discover such things to the magistrates, who are to 
punish such things ; and therefore the watch is kept and 
set to discover such to the magistrate, that they may be 



GEORGE FOX. 



159 



punished ; and if he does it not, he bears his sword in 
vain. So if thou watch thy own plantation against 
thieves, in thy own way, which thou art desired, for the 
good of thyself and neighbours, against such as would 
burn thy plantation, and thy neighbour's, and destroy 
and rob you, wilt not thou discover this to the magis- 
trates, who are set for the punishing of the evil doers, 
and executing wrath upon them, and for the praise of 
them that do well ? Surely, yes. 

And for this cause we pay tribute to them, and give 
Caesar his due, that we may live a godly and peaceable 
life under them, as they are God's ministers attending 
upon this very thing, to wit, the punishing of the evil 
doers, and the praise of them that do well ; for the law 
was not made for the righteous, but for the sinner and 
disobedient, and is good in its place. Now if they do 
not do their duty, we are clear, having given them their 
tribute or customs ; I say, if they do not do their duty 
to keep down evil doers, and be for the praise of them 
that do well, God Almighty will turn against them. 
But if the magistrate would have all, both God's due 
and Caesar^s too, that we cannot give ; for God must 
have his worship, his praise, his honour, and his due ; 
and Caesar must have his due, his earthly custom and 
tribute ; and so herein we render unto God the things 
which are God's, and unto Caesar the things which are 
his. 

And whereas some may say, that the Apostle would 
not eat flesh, lest he should offend his brother, that was 
a condescension upon a religious account ; and did not 
give offence to the magistrate, who is set for the punish- 
ing of the evil doers, and for the praise of them that do 
well. 

And whereas the Apostle saith, GoL ii : " Wherefore, 



160 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the 
world ; why, as though living in the world, are ye sub- 
ject to ordinances, (touch not, taste not, handle not, 
which all are to perish with the using,) after the com- 
mandments and doctrines of men f — now these ordi- 
nances, these doctrines, these commandments, were con- 
cerning religion and worship ; and are quite distinct from 
those whereof the Apostle saith : " Be subject to every 
ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake ; for the punish- 
ment of evil doers. — 1 Peter ii. 13. For this was for 
the Lord's sake, which was for the praise of them that 
do well, and for the punishment of the evil doer. So he 
makes a distinction here. 

And you know that masters of ships, and Friends, 
have their watches all night long, and they watch to 
preserve the ship, and to prevent any enemy or hurts 
that might come to the ship, by passengers or otherwise. 

And Christ came in the fourth watch of the night, 
walking on the sea, &c. And Peter was in the ship, and 
his disciples as you may see in Matthew xiv. and in Marie 
v. 48. 

And Simon Peter had part of the ship, as you may 
see in Luke v. And so it was that J ames and John, sons 
of Zebedee, were partners with Simon. 

And Christ saith, Luke xii. 38, 39, speaking of his 
coming, and exhorting to watch; " If he (to wit, the 
master) should come in the second or third watch, and 
find them watching, blessed are those servants." So this 
watching was for Christ, and against sin and evil in their 
own hearts. And then he brings a comparison : " And 
this know," said he, c< that if the good man of the house 
had known what hour the thief would come, he would 
have watched, and not suffered his house to be broken 
up," &c. 



GEOTIGE FOX. 



161 



And so here is the good man's watching against sin and 
evil without, and the spoiler and the thief without, whom 
the magistrate is to revenge, and to lay his sword upon. 
And here is also a watching against sin and evil within , 
and a waiting to receive Christ the Lord at his coming. 

And as there is a shutting of the outward doors, to 
keep out the murderers and the thieves, and a bolting and 
locking of them out ; so there is a shutting up and lock- 
ing of the door of the heart, to keep out the adulterer 
and murderer, and all that is deceitful, from coming 
within, into the hearts. 

And, Friends, the priests and professors used to bring 
this Scripture, 46 You must be subject to every ordinance 
of man for the Lord's sake," to the end that we should 
pay them their maintenance, and hold up their worship. 
And when the magistrates brought that Scripture for 
these ends, we could not obey them in these things, 
nor touch nor taste their ordinances, doctrines, nor com- 
mandments. But to be subject to every ordinance of 
man for the Lord's sake, which was for the punishment 
of evil doers, as drunkards, thieves, murderers, adul- 
terers, and such like ; and to keep down such evil 
doers, and that we might live a godly and peaceable 
life under them, which was for the praise of them that 
do well ; — this we always owned, and were subject to, 
and watched against, and declared against in our own 
way, and laid such actors and actions before the magis- 
trates, for them to punish and keep down with their 
power, which is their sword of justice ; but if they would 
compel us to things that we could not do, contrary to our 
conscience, for the Lord's sake, we suffered for it. 

So where Friends have the government, as in Rhode 
Island, in that province Friends were willing to watch, 
in their own way : and they made a law that none 
should be compelled to take arms. 



162 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



So Friends have always proffered the magistrates, to 
watch in their own way against the evil doer, though 
they could not join with them in carrying arms 5 swords, 
and pistols. 

And this they have proffered in Barbadoes, as I have 
heard, to discover, if negroes should rise up to burn 
plantations, or steal, or do any hurt ; or of Indians in- 
vading their land. 

So with my love to all Friends in all those parts, as 
though I named them ; be at peace one with another ; 
neither judge one another about such things, but live in 
love, which doth edify, and in the power of God ; that 
your hearts, and souls, and minds, may unite together in 
it ; and all walk as becomes the Gospel. And let your 
lives and conversations preach ; that with a measure of 
the Spirit of God, you may reach to that of God in all ; 
so that his Name may be glorified, and He honoured, 
in your bringing forth much heavenly, spiritual fruit, 
from the heavenly seed, that Christ the heavenly Seeds- 
man hath sown in your hearts ; that so an hundred-fold 
of holiness, righteousness, godliness, virtue, and piety, 
from this heavenly seed, you may bring forth and in- 
crease in this life-time, and in the world to come reap life 
everlasting. 

And give no occasion to your adversaries, neither in 
your lives nor words ; but that you may all serve God 
in the new life, showing forth that you are new men, and 
that you are renewed in the image of God, and that you 
are born again of the immortal, heavenly seed ; by the 
Eternal, Everlasting Word, that lives, and abides, and 
endures for ever. And that you do feed upon the heavenly 
milk and bread from above, and that your conversation is 
in heaven, and that you are clothed with the fine heavenly 
linen, which is the righteousness of saints, which is Christ 



GEORGE FOX. 



163 



the heavenly and spiritual Man's livery ; by which his 
servants are known by his badge of righteousness, and 
distinguished from all the servants of old Adam, Egypt, 
Sodom, and Babylon, with their badge of unrighteousness. 

And so be valiant for God's Truth upon the earth, and 
spread it abroad: preach Christ and his kingdom, his 
light, his grace, his truth to men, that all should walk 
in it ; and his dreadful day upon all the talkers of God, 
Christ, his prophets and apostles' words, that do not 
walk in the same power, spirit, and life, grace, and truth, 
which they walked in. I say, preach this to the magis- 
trates, and amongst the heathen men, and show your- 
selves to be quickened who have been dead in sins and 
trespasses ; but that you are now made alive by Him ; 
and so show forth his Light, Life, and Truth, and that 
you are awakened to righteousness ; and therefore show 
it forth to them that are asleep in the unrighteousness. 
So that the Lord's glory, and righteous power, truth, 
light, and life, may flow over all, to his glory over all, for 
ever. Amen. G. F. 

NO. CCCXX. 

An Epistle relative to the station of Women in the 
Church* 

Friends, 1676. 

You may read how, in the old world, one family after 
another, till Noah's time, served the Lord God. And 

* The selections from this Epistle will serve to show how 
much advanced is the general estimation of women, since the 
day when it was needful to write so much to prove their import- 
ance in the scale of society, as intellectual and moral beings ; — 
as co-workers with the grace of God, and co-heirs with man of 
immortal life. 

George Fox mentions, in page 6 of his Journal, meeting with 
a people who held that women had no souls. 



164 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



then after Noah were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and 
their wives ; and after Moses and Aaron had brought the 
children of Israel out of Egypt, and that they were come 
to be a great people, Moses said, " I would all the Lord's 
people were prophets." — Numb. xL 29. And when a 
young man said unto Moses, " Eldad and Medad do 
prophesy in the camp ;" and he would have had Moses 
to forbid them ; then Moses answered, and said unto 
him again, " Would to God all the Lord's people were 
prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon 
them." 

So Moses here (who was captain, governor, and judge 
over Israel) was far from restraining any from prophesy- 
ing in the camp, but reproved his envy that would have 
had him forbid them ; and did moreover encourage them, 
by saying, " I would to God all the Lord's people were 
prophets." And surely all the Lord's people are made 
up of both men and women. 

Now in the time of the law, there were the assemblies 
of the women ; for all the women that were wise of 
heart, did work with their hands about those holy things 
which God had commanded. 

And all the women w T hose hearts stirred them up in 
wisdom, these women wrought about those holy things 
that belonged to the tabernacle and sanctuary ; as you 
may see in Exodus xxxv. 

And likewise the assemblies of the women, in the 58th 
chapter, and of the women's assembling at the door of 
the tabernacle of the congregation ; and in the margin 
it is said, they assembled by troops. 

Now Moses and Aaron, and the seventy Elders, did 
not say to those assemblies of the women : " We can 
do our work ourselves, and you are fitter to be at home 
to wash the dishes or such like expressions ; but they 



GEORGE FOX. 



165 



did encourage them in the work and service of God, in 
those things which God had commanded them in the 
time of the Law. 

For God had poured his Spirit upon the house of 
Israel, to give them an understanding, to do those things 
which God had commanded them ; by which Spirit their 
hearts were stirred up to do God's work, both males and 
females. 

And in the time of the law, the women were to offer 
up sacrifices and offerings, as well as the men, upon 
God's altar ; as you may see, Hannah, when she brought 
Samuel, and offered him up to the Lord, she brought him 
to the house of the Lord in Shiloh ; and when she 
brought him, she took up with her three bullocks, besides 
flour and wine. So see how she paid her vows to the 
Lord, and offered up her sacrifices upon God's altar. 
And other places might be showed of the women's offer- 
ings and sacrifices. 

And you may see Hannah's fervent zeal to God, and 
what a large speech she made in magnifying and exalting 
the Lord, in 1 Samuel 1st and 2nd chapters. 

And so vou may see, the offerings and sacrifice of the 
women w r ere accepted upon God's altar, as well as the 
men's. 

Now Hannah's husband, and the other women's 
husbands, that offered up their offerings upon God's 
altar, were not offended at them, nor did they say their 
own offerings were enough for them both ; but every one 
was to offer up their peace-offerings and thanksgiving 
offerings themselves, and other offerings. 

And it is said, in Joel ii, and in Acts ii. " That the 
Lord would pour out of his Spirit upon all flesh in the 
last days or times." 

So this Spirit is poured upon all flesh in the Christian 



1 66 EPISTLES, &C. OF 

times, on sons and daughters, handmaids and servants, 
old men and young men, that, by the Spirit of God, all 
these might have his visions, prophecies, and dreams. 
And it is by his Spirit that all should profit in the things 
that are eternal, and serve God in the Spirit, both men 
and women, sons and daughters, old men and young men, 
handmaids and servants ; and all offer up to God his 
spiritual sacrifices. 

For all being dead in earthly Adam, Christ the 
heavenly Adam has tasted death for them all, and is a 
propitiation for the sins of the whole world ; and He en- 
lightens all, and his grace hath appeared unto all, and 
his Spirit is poured upon all flesh ; and his Gospel, which 
is the power of God, is preached to every creature under 
heaven. 

And now, must not all receive the grace, and believe in 
the light, and receive this Gospel, and walk and labour in 
it, both men and women, sons and daughters, old men and 
voun2, servants and handmaids. 

t, o 7 

And as the women were to offer in the old Covenant, 
and in the time of the law, upon the outward altar, their 
offerings ; and God poured out his Spirit upon the house 
of Israel, that they might understand, and do what He 
commanded them ; so. in this the time and day of Christ, 
the Captain of our salvation, must not all these labour in 
the Gospel, and in the word, and in the grace, and in the 
lio-ht, and know and do God and Christ's work and service 

o 7 

about his heavenly tabernacle and sanctuary ? Have not 
all their respective service that are enlightened! And 
his grace, that hath appeared unto them, are they not 
stewards of it I And must not there be assemblies of the 
women in the time of the Gospel, and of the new Cove- 
nant, and in the time of grace, and light, and life, as well 
as in the time of the Law, and of the old Covenant ? 



GEORGE EOX. 



167 



And so now the end of all our men and women's meet- 
ings in the time of the Gospel (the power of Christ 
being the authority of them), is, that they may all labour 
in his power, and in his grace, and in his Spirit, and in 
his light, to do his service and his business in truth and 
righteousness. 

So the women in the time of the Gospel, light, and 
grace, are to look into their ownselves and families, and 
to look to the training up of their children ; for they are 
oft-times more amongst them than the men, and may 
prevent many things that may fall out, and many times 
they may make or mar their children in their education. 

So now they come to be exercised in the grace of God; 
and to admonish and exhort, reprove and rebuke, and to 
keep all their families modest, honest, virtuous, sober, and 
civil, and not to give liberty, nor indulge that which 
tends to vice, or lasciviousness, or any evil, or idleness, 
or slothfulness, or the fashions of the world, which pass 
away ; and to stop all vain words, and idle talking, and 
stories and tales, which are unprofitable ; and rather to 
turn their ears to godliness, which they should be trained 
up and exercised in, and not fulfil the lust of the eye ; for 
that being satisfied, brings the pride of life, and then 
comes the lust of the flesh ; and this is not of the Father, 
but of the world. 

And if either men or women suffer such things, they 
suffer that which defiles their children and families ; and 
therefore such things are to be reproved in families ; and 
their children to be stopped from going into such things. 

And therefore they are to have an esteem of truth and 
virtue above all such things, and not to indulge any such 
things as will draw out their minds from virtue to vice. 

Now when the women are met together in the light, 
and in the Gospel, the power of God ; some are of a 



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more large capacity and understanding than other women, 
and are able to inform, and instruct, and stir up others 
unto diligence, virtue, and righteousness, and godliness ; 
and in the love and wisdom of God to inform and reform 
their families, and to help them that are of weaker capa- 
cities and understandings, in the wisdom of God, that 
they may be fruitful in every good work and word. 

So that they may see that all their families are ordered 
to God's glory ; and that which tends to looseness or evil, 
either in words, ways, or actions, that would corrupt 
them, either in their lives or manners, may be kept down 
and reproved. 

So that all their children and servants may be trained 
up in the fear of God, in the new Covenant ; for among 
the Jews in the old Covenant, they that sojourned 
amongst them were to keep the sabbath ; and if they did 
eat of their sacrifice, they were to be circumcised. 

And the women had their assemblies in the days of the 
Judges and the Kings ; and old Eli's sons abused them, 
and old Eli did admonish his sons, but he did not restrain 
them from their wickedness ; and therefore God cut oft 
his sons, and he lost the ark of God, and the priesthood, 
and his own life also. 

And some there have been, that would not have the 
women to meet without the men ; and some of them say, 
the women must not speak in the church ; but if they 
must not speak, what should they meet with them for I 

But what spirit is this, that would exercise lordship 
over the faith of any ? And what a spirit is this, that 
will neither suffer the women to speak amongst the men, 
nor to meet amongst themselves to speak ? 

But all this is for judgment, with that spirit that 
gives liberty unto all that labour in the Gospel, in the 
light, and in the grace. 



GEORGE FOX. 



196 



And some men and women there are that suggest, if 
women should meet by themselves in the order of the 
Gospel, the power of God, they would be too high ; but 
such men and women as so suggest, are too high already, 
and would be ruling over men and women's possessions, 
and waste their own ; for if they were in the power and 
Spirit of God, they need not fear any one's getting over 
them : for the power and Spirit of God gives liberty to 
all ; for women are heirs of life as well as men, and heirs 
of grace, and of the light of Christ J esus, as well as the 
men, and so stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

So all the women, in all their assemblies in the time of 
the Gospel, and of the new Covenant of light, life, and 
grace, are to be encouraged, as they were in the time of 
the law, and to be stirred up in the wisdom of God to 
their diligence and service of God and Christ, in his new 
Covenant, in his Gospel time, to do the Lord's business 
about the heavenly tabernacle, and heavenly garments, 
as the women were about the figure in the time of the law. 

And now, you that stumble at women's meetings, had 
not your women many vain meetings before they were 
convinced, and you were not then offended at them : 
when they met to satisfy the flesh, and had junketing 
meetings to themselves, did you reprove them for such 
meetings ? 

And why should they not now meet in their conversion 
in the Lord's power and Spirit, to do his business, and to 
visit the fatherless and widows, and to keep themselves 
from the spots of the world, which is the practice of the 
pure religion, wherein the men and women may be helps 
meet in the religion that is not of the world, that keeps 
from the spots of the world. 

But some have said that such meeting must not be, 
but as business requires or occasions them : as much as 

I 



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EPISTLES, &C. OF 



to say, you must not make up the hedges till the beasts 
have devoured your corn; and then the parish over- 
seers must meet together to compute the damage. And 
here their wisdom is seen, as if it were not more their 
duty to meet, to prevent bad actions that may fall out, 
and with the power of God to stop up gaps to prevent 
evil, or weak places ; for when the evil is entered into, 
it is of the latest to meet then, which rather brings scandal 
than remedy ; and therefore the labourers in the Gospel, 
men and women, (being helps meet,) are to see that all 
walk and live in the order of the Gospel, and to see that 
nothing be lacking ; then all is well ; for the women in 
their assemblies may inform one another of the poor 
widows and fatherless, and in the wisdom of God may 
find the best way for the setting forth of their children ; 
and to see that their children are preserved in Truth, and 
to instruct them in the fear of the Lord. 

And after the children of Israel came out of Egypt, 
and saw the destruction of Pharoah and his host ; after 
Moses made an end of his song, and praising of the 
Lord, then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, 
took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out 
after her with timbrels and with dances, (mark, all the 
women,) and Miriam answered them and said: c< Sing 
ye unto the Lord ; for He hath triumphed gloriously, the 
horse and his rid#r 4iath He overthrown in the sea," &c. 

Now here you may see what an assembly there was of 
the women, that praised the Lord, which were instructed 
by Miriam the prophetess ; and Moses and Aaron were 
not offended at them ; for they were sensible of their 
joy, and were partakers of the deliverance and salvation, 
the women as well as the men ; as you may see in 
Exod. xv. 

And Deborah, a prophetess, she judged Israel, and 



GEORGE FOX. 



171 



sent to Baruch and exhorted and encouraged him : and 
she prophesied to him, that he should not have the glory 
of the battle ; but that the Lord should sell Sisera into 
the hands of a woman ; as you may see in Judges, chap. 
iv. and v. 

Then sung Deborah and praised the Lord ; and there 
you may see her large declaration, in praising and 
magnifying the Name of the Lord, the whole chapter 
throughout. And we do not read that the elders did 
reprove her, or bid her hold her prating ; for she was 
filled with the power of the Lord to praise his name. 
— Judges v. 

And you may see how the Apostle set forth the 
honourable women, and their faithfulness and constancy, 
who by faith received the dead raised to life again. — 
Hehreivs xi. 35. 

And Hannah, who prayed in the temple before Eli, as 
aforesaid, who was ignorant of her condition, he reproved 
her, and thought she had been drunk ; but she convinced 
him, so that at last he encouraged her, and desired the 
Lord to grant her petition. And when the Lord had 
granted it to her, you may see how this honourable wo- 
man exalts the Lord. — 1 Sam. ii. 1 — 10. 

And Ruth and Naomi, you may see what virtuous 
women they were, and how the women blessed the Lord 
on their behalf, and how they declared of the goodness of 
the Lord to them. 

And Huldah the prophetess, who dwelt in Jerusalem, 
in the college, where the king sent out the priest Hilkiah, 
and his scribe and others, to inquire of her. Now the 
Jews here did not despise communication with a woman. 
And she instructed the priest and the king's scribe, who 
came to her. 

So neither king nor priest did despise this prophetess" 

i2 



172 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



teaching and instruction, but obeyed it, as you may see 
what a large sermon she preached to them, in 2 Kings 
xxii. from verse 14 to the end. 

And you may see Abigail, that honourable woman's 
wisdom, how she saved her family and her house from 
destruction. Yet she did not go to ask her husband (old 
churlish Nabal) at home, but she, who was innocent and 
wise, took it upon herself ; and you may see what a 
brave sermon she preached to David, who heard her 
patiently; and she told David, how that he was bound 
up in the bundle of life with the Lord God. And David 
blessed the Lord God that she came to him, and said, the 
Lord God of Israel had sent her that day to meet him ; 
and said : " Blessed be thy advice, and blessed be 
thou which has kept me this day from shedding blood 
as you may read in 1 Sam. xxv. And was not this a 
noble and honourable act of this woman, which prevented 
so much evil and bloodshed, which her husband had like 
to have brought upon them. So David did not despise 
the counsel of this honourable woman, who was wiser 
than her husband Nabal. 

And the Lord sent Elijah in the time of the famine, 
and said unto him, " Behold, I have commanded a 
widow woman to sustain thee and he arose, and went 
to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, 
the widow woman was gathering sticks to make a fire, to 
bake her a cake ; she had but one handful of meal and a 
little oil in a cruse, and yet in faith she made the man 
of God a cake, though she had no more than this, that 
she and her son might eat and then die ; but her meal 
wasted not, nor her cruse of oil, according to the word of 
the Lord ; and so the Lord blessed this woman, as you 
may see in 1 Kings xvii. 

And in 2 Kings iv. there you may see the faith 



GEORGE FOX. 



173 



of the widow woman, and how largely she spoke unto 
the prophet Elisha, and how the Lord increased her 
stock of oil through her belief and faithfulness. 

And Elisha passed unto Shunam, where there was a 
great woman, and she constrained him to eat bread ; and 
so it was, as oft as he passed by, that he turned in thither 
to eat bread ; and she said unto her husband, " Behold, 
now I perceive that this is a holy man of God, which 
passes by us continually : let us make him a little cham- 
ber, I pray thee, on the wall, and let us set for him there 
a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick ; and it 
shall be that when he comes to us, that he shall turn in 
thither. 1 ' Now to this good action of this holy woman 
was her husband subject ; and how she was blessed after- 
wards for her faithfulness, and receiving of the man of 
God! 

Now the prophet of the Lord did not despise this 
woman's speaking in the time of the law. 

Neither did Solomon despise the prophecy which his 
mother taught him. — Prov. xxxi. 

And David said, 44 The Lord gave the word, and great 
was the company of those that published it." — Psalm 
Ixviii. II. 

And the king's daughter was among the honourable 
women. So there were the honourable women, that 
feared and served the Lord God, in the time of the law 
and before the law. 

But now there should be much more in the time of the 
Gospel, which is preached to every creature ; which 
Gospel light has enlightened every man that cometh into 
the world; and in the time of the Covenant of Grace, 
which hath appeared unto all men, to teach them and 
bring their salvation : and so in the time of the Gospel, 
light, and grace, the honourable women should be meet 



174 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



helps, and fellow-labourers together in the work and ser- 
vice of the Lord, as man and woman were before they 
fell, and as they were in the time of the law. 

For that honourable Deborah, who was a valiant 
mother in Israel, was a judge and a prophetess. Judges v. 

And Jephthah's daughter, was not she a virtuous 
young woman ? and see what a sermon she preached to 
her father, and said to him, 64 Let me go up to the 
mountains to bewail my virginity : and he said unto her, 
go ; and she went and her companions, fellow virgins, and 
she said unto her father : As thou hast opened thy mouth 
unto the Lord, so do unto me according to what hath 
proceeded out of thy mouth, forasmuch as the Lord hath 
taken vengeance for thee of thy enemies." 

And the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the 
daughter of J ephthah. — Judges xi. 

So here they had a yearly meeting upon this occasion : 
but the assemblies of the women about the works and 
services the Lord commanded was beyond this. 

And Manoah, Samson's mother, unto whom the angel 
of the Lord appeared, and declared unto her great things, 
these she declared unto her husband, but her husband did 
not reprove her ; and when her husband was in fear that 
they should die, then his wife encouraged him, saying: 
" If the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would not have 
received a burnt-offering, and have showed us all these 
things." 

And here you may see the stedfastness of this woman's 
faith, beyond her husband's, as in Judges xiii. 

And the woman of Tekoah, see what a sermon she 
preached to king David, 2 Sam. xiv. 

And you may see what a large sermon the woman of 
the city of Abel preached unto Joab the general; she 
told him, she was one of them that were peaceable and 



GEORGE FOX. 



175 



faithful in Israel ; " and thou seekest to destroy a city 
and a mother of Israel; why wilt thou swallow up the 
inheritance of the Lordf So she convinced him, and 
preserved the city. 

And so these and such women are recorded to posterity 
for their wisdom, and their virtue and zeal, and their 
faith, as you may see in 2 Sam. xx. 

And what think you of Esther ? read her book, and 
see the behaviour of this virtuous, honourable woman, 
who by her wisdom, faith, and virtue, preserved her 
people Israel. She was a nursing mother to them ; as 
you may read in the Book of Esther, who kept a fast 
with her maidens to the Lord, and also desired Mordecai 
to keep a fast in Shushan. — Esther iv. 16. 

And in Luke i. you may see how the angel of the Lord 
appeared unto Mary the mother of J esus, and what he 
said to her, and what a noble, virtuous mind was in her ; 
and she said unto the angel : " Behold the handmaid of 
the Lord, be it unto me according to thy w T ord." So her 
belief was beyond Zachariah the priest's. 

And when Mary came unto Elizabeth, what a meeting 
and salutation was there ; and how she was filled with the 
Holy Ghost, and the Babe leaped in her womb, and she 
praised the Lord God, and called her the mother of her 
Lord ! Read from the 4:0th to the 57th verse, and see 
how she extols the Lord, and magnifies Christ J esus ; 
for here was a heavenly meeting of these two, which is 
chronicled to ages. 

So you may see her belief was above Zachariah the 
priest's : so Mary and Elizabeth were notable preachers 
of Christ J esus. 

And you may see in Luke ii. 7, how Mary wrapped 
Christ in swaddling clothes; and how tender- -she was of 
the heavenly birth, conceived by the Holy Ghost ; (and 



176 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



so must all true and tender Christians, that receive Him 
in the spirit ) ; and how she kept all the sayings that were 
spoken of Christ, and pondered them in her heart, verse 
19, and so should every true Christian do. 

And there was Anna, a prophetess, who was eighty-four 
years old, who departed not from the temple, but served 
God with fasting and prayer night and day; and she 
gave thanks unto the Lord, and spoke of Christ unto all 
that looked for redemption in Israel : She spoke of Christ. 
Here was a notable old woman of eighty-four years of 
age, a preacher and declarer of Christ. 

And you do not read that ever any despised her, or 
said it was forbidden for a woman to speak in the church. 

But this woman is set forth for an example to all young 
and old women, of her love to Christ her Saviour ; and 
not only so, but a preacher of Him to all that looked for 
redemption in Israel. 

And the woman of Canaan that came unto Jesus, and 
said, " Lord, help !" but He answered and said, " It is 
not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it unto 
dogs and she said, " Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of 
the crumbs which fall from their master's table." Then 
Jesus answered and said unto her, " woman ! great is 
thy faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt." 

So you may see, by this woman's faith in Christ Jesus, 
this woman's daughter was made whole ; which was an 
example for all the faithful to look unto J esus for help ; 
as you may see in Matt. xv. 

And Mary that took a pound of ointment of spikenard, 
very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his 
feet with her hair ; and the whole house was filled with 
the odour of the ointment: but when Judas saw it, he 
had indignation, saying, " To what profit is this waste? 
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred 



GEORGE FOX. 



177 



pence, and given to the poor ?" as you may see in Matt, 
xx vi. and Mark xiv. and John xii. Now this was 
Judas, which carried the bag, and betrayed Christ ; and 
many there are that carry the bag now, that would not 
have their wives nor the women bestow any thing upon 
Christ, nor his poor followers. 

But Jesus said : " Let her alone : why trouble you 
her ? She hath wrought a good w T ork on me ; for the 
poor ye have with you always, and whensoever ye will 
ye may do them good, but me ye have not always ; she 
hath done what she could ; she is come beforehand to 
anoint my body to my burial. Verily I say unto you, 
wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout the 
world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of, for 
a memorial of her." 

So Christ did not forbid the womans practice, but en- 
couraged her ; and so He doth still, them that obey Him. 

And the woman that was twelve j^ears troubled with 
an incurable disease, who had spent all upon physicians, 
and grew worse and worse ; her faith was so strong, that 
she believed if she could but touch the hem of his gar- 
ment, she should be well. 

And as soon as she had touched his clothes, virtue 
went from Christ and healed her ; and then the woman 
came fearing and trembling, and fell down before Christ, 
and told Him all the truth, what she had done ; " And 
He said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee 
whole, go in peace." — MarJc v. 

Now Christ, who is the Head of the Church, here 
suffered a woman to speak before Him, from whom she 
had received the healing virtue. 

And you may see, when Christ was crucified, how 
many women were there, as Mary Magdalene, and Mary 
the mother of James, and many others who came up to 

i 3 



178 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



Jerusalem, that were about Jesus at the time of his being 
crucified, as in Mark xv. 

And Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, 
came to the sepulchre, and the angel said unto them : 
" Be not afraid, ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was 
crucified. He is not here, He is arisen ; behold the place 
where they laid Him. But go your way, tell his disciples 
and Peter, that He goeth before you into Galilee, there 
shall you see Him as He said unto you." For Jesus 
appeared first to Mary Magdalene, as in Mark xvi. 

And in John xx. it is said, two angels said to Mary, 
" Woman, why weepest thou? And she said, because 
they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where 
they have laid Him ; and when she had thus said, she 
turned herself, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not 
that it was Jesus, &c. But Jesus said unto her, Mary ! 
and she turned herself, and said unto Him, Rabbi ! (as 
much as to say, Master) ! and J esus said unto her, touch 
me not, for I am not yet ascended unto my Father; but 
go unto my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto 
my Father, and your Father ; and to my God, and your 
God, &c. And Mary Magdalene came and told the dis- 
ciples, that she had seen the Lord, and that He had 
spoken these things unto her." 

So here Mary Magdalene was a messenger of Christ 
Jesus, who did not despise her speaking before Him, who 
was the Head of the Church, and did not refuse to send 
her to preach his resurrection to his disciples, though she 
was a woman. 

And in Luke xxiv. it is said, it was Mary Magdalene, 
and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other 
women which were with them, which told the apostles 
that Christ was risen ; and this was said unto them, 
« Why seek ye the living among the dead ? He is not 



GEORGE FOX. 



179 



here, He is risen. Remember that He spoke unto you, 
when He was yet in Galilee, saying : The Son of Man 
must be delivered into the hands of sinful men," &c. 

And they remembered these words, and they returned 
from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the 
eleven disciples, and all the rest. 

And mark, as I said before, " it was Mary Magdalene, 
and J oanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other 
women that were with them, which told these things unto 
the apostles ; and these words seemed unto them as idle 
tales, and they believed them not." 

Now mark their message, and to whom it was ; and 
who they were that were the messengers, the weaker 
vessels ; and to whom, to the apostles ; and what they 
preached was what they remembered Christ had spoken 
to them before, to wit, that Christ should suffer, and rise 
again. 

Now here you may see it was Mary, and Joanna, and 
Mary the mother of James, and the other women that 
were with them, that declared the resurrection of Christ 
unto the eleven, which seemed but as idle tales to the 
apostles. 

And here was a joyful women's meeting indeed, of 
messengers and preachers of Christ's resurrection, which 
is recorded to posterity to their renown, that all should 
believe ; though their message and speech were as idle 
tales to the disciples. 

And the woman of Samaria, that Christ Jesus con- 
vinced, and taught her how God was to be worshipped, to 
wit, in the Spirit and Truth : you may see what a large 
discourse Christ had with her, as in John iv. from the 
7 th to the 27th, and suffered her to speak before the Head 
of the Church. 

And Christ's disciples marvelled that He talked with 



180 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



a woman ; and the woman left her pitcher of water, and 
went away into a city of Samaria, and said unto the men 
of the city: (mark, unto the men) ! " Come and see a 
man that told me all that ever I did. Is not this the 
Christ ? And many of the Samaritans believed, because 
of the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me 
all that ever I did." And when they heard Christ, they 
said unto the woman, " Now we believe, not because of 
thy saying only, but we have heard Him ourselves, and 
know that He is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the 
world." 

So here you may see, there was a woman preacher, 
whom Christ (the Head of the Church) suffered ; and 
through her means many were converted unto Christ. 

And when they had crucified J esus Christ, there were 
many women that beheld him afar off, which followed 
Him from Galilee, ministering unto Him, amongst which 
were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, 
and Joses, the mother of Zebedee's children. 

And here you may see, there was a women's meeting 
with Christ, in his sufferings ; and when he was risen 
some of them preached his resurrection, as you may 
see in Matt, xxvii. 61 ; and xxviii. 5 — 7, where you 
may read the message Christ gave to the women to de- 
clare to the apostles, as aforesaid, which is recorded and 
set forth that others might believe their message. 

And in Luke vii, Christ turned Him to the women, 
and said unto Simon : " Seest thou this woman ! I 
entered into thy house, but thou gavest me no water for 
my feet ; but she hath washed my feet with tears, and 
wiped them with the hair of her head. And thou gavest 
me no kiss ; but this woman, since the time I came into 
the house, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head 
with oil thou didst not anoint ; but this woman hath 



GEORGE FOX. 



181 



anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto 
thee, her sins which are many, are forgiven ; for she 
loved much ; but to whom little is forgiven, the same 
loveth little." 

And they that sat at meat with him began to say, 
" Who is this that forgiveth sins f and He said unto the 
woman, " Thy faith hath saved thee : go in peace." 

So here you may see how Christ justified the woman's 
action above Simon, whose faith saved her ; which is 
chronicled to her renown, and the honour of God. And 
in Matt, xxviii. there you may see this Mary Magdalene, 
which was a preacher of Christ ; it was she out of whom 
Christ had cast seven devils ; and with her Joanna, the 
wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, which 
ministered unto Christ of their substance. 

Now, would not some niggards be ready to sa} T , these 
women picked their husbands' pockets ; and others, with 
Judas, who carry the bag, may say, we must have but 
one purse, and is not our gift and benevolence sufficient ? 

But this woman loved Christ ; and Christ said : " My 
mother and my brethren are these, which hear the word 
of God and do it." — Luke viii. 21. 

And Martha received Christ into her house, and she 
had a sister called Mary, that sat at Jesus'* feet, and 
heard his words ; but Martha was cumbered about much 
serving: and Jesus said unto her : " Martha, thou art 
careful and troubled about many things, but one thing is 
needful ; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which 
shall not be taken away from her.*" Which is the duty 
of every good man and woman to do, if they will be kept 
out of the many things. And you may see how Mary 
talked with Christ, and Christ with her. 

So this is chronicled, that all might choose the good 
part, and the one thing, which cannot be taken away from 



182 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



them ; and be kept out of the many things, that cumber ; 
as you may see in Luke x. 

And here you may see all these renowned, faithful 
women, were encouraged by Christ and his followers ; 
and are recorded and set forth to encourage all that are 
faithful to wait upon Christ, and to light their candle at 
God's light and fire, that so they may sweep their house 
and find their treasure, that they may declare their joy 
of it to their friends and neighbours. 

And also you may see Dorcas was full of good works, 
and alms-deeds which she did. And all the widows stood 
by Peter, weeping, showing the coats and garments which 
Dorcas made whilst she was with them, to wit, the 
widows. Mark, and was not there a women's meeting 
then, whilst Dorcas was with them ; to wit, the widows I 
and Dorcas was a disciple of Jesus. — Acts ix. 

And Paul on the Sabbath went out of the city by a 
river side, where prayers were wont to be made, and 
spoke to the women which resorted thither ; and was not 
there a women's meeting also, which resorted there to 
pray together. 

" And there was a certain woman named Lydia, a 
seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped 
God, whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended 
unto the things spoken by Paul, and she besought him to 
come to her house, if he judged her faithful to the Lord, 
and abide there ; and she constrained him and them that 
were with him" — Acts xvi. So you may see the faith- 
fulness of this woman, and the practice of the other 
women before they were converted. 

And Priscilla, who was a notable faithful woman, 
whom Paul often mentions with her husband Aquila ; 
and Philip's four daughters, which were prophetesses, 
which were set forth to encourage others. And you may 



GEORGE FOX. 



183 



see Phebe, whom the Apostle Paul sends his Epistle to 
the Romans from Corinth by, and calls a servant of the 
Church of Cenchrea ; and he saith, " Greet Mary, which 
bestowed much labour upon us ; and Priscilla and Aquila, 
my fellow -labourers in Christ Jesus. " 

So here you may see there w T ere women labourers and 
helpers in the Gospel. And he further saith, " I com- 
mend unto you our sister Phebe, who is a servant unto 
the church," &c. And saith ; " Greet Priscilla and 
Aquila, my fellow-helpers in Christ Jesus, who for my 
life have laid down their necks, unto whom not only I 
give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. " 

So here you may see in what esteem were this man 
and woman, and Phebe, and other women for their 
faithfulness to the churches ; as you may read, Rom. xvi. 

And the Apostle saith, That the unbelieving husband 
is sanctified by the believing wife, &c, else their children 
were unholy ; but now they are clean ; and the un- 
believing w T ife is sanctified by the believing husband. 
So here is an equal share in the belief. — 1 Cor. vii. 
And the apostle saith: " That every woman that 
prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered, dis- 
honoureth her head." 

So women may pray and prophesy here, according to 
order, in the Church, as w T ell as the men. — 1 Cor. xi. 

And the same apostle saith : 44 I beseech thee, Euo- 
dias, and I beseech Syntyche, that they may be of the 
same mind in the Lord ; and I entreat thee also, true 
yoke-fellow, help those women which laboured with me in 
the Gospel ; with Clement also, and with other my fel- 
low-labourers, whose names are in the book of life. 

So here the apostle entreated his yoke-fellow to help 
those women which laboured with him in the Gospel, the 
power of God : so these women w r ere meet helps with the 



184 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



apostle in the labour of the Gospel, (the power of God), 
as you may see in Phil. iv. And all that be of his mind 
in the Lord, will encourage women, either widows or 
virgins, that have received the Gospel, to labour in it ; 
and all that have not the mind of the apostle in the 
Lord, will discourage women's labouring in the Gospel, 
and not entreat others to help them ; but such will give 
them liberty to labour in the power of darkness, and to 
slothfulness, and carelessness ; which the woe is unto, 
and not the blessing. 

And J ohn writes, in his Second Epistle, unto the elect 
Lady and her children, " whom I love in the Truth," 
saith he, " and not I only, but also all they that have 
known the Truth, for the Truth's sake, which dwelleth 
in us, and shall be with us for ever,"" &c. " I rejoice 
greatly," says he, " that I have found thy children walk- 
ing in the Truth.' 1 And he further saith, " I write no 
new commandment unto thee, but that which we had 
from the beginning, that we love one another." 

And so he trusts to come and see her, and speak face 
to face unto her ; " the children of thy elect sister greet 
thee. Amen." 

So was not this an honourable woman, that had trained 
up her children in the Truth, as was commanded by 
John? And he admonished her against such as did 
transgress, and did not abide in the doctrine of Christ 
Jesus, that they had not the Father nor the Son ; but 
they that did abide in the doctrine of Christ Jesus, had 
both the Father and the Son. 

So is not this an encouragement to all faithful women, 
to see that their children do walk in the Truth, and abide 
in the doctrine of Christ ; that they may have both the 
Father and the Son ? 

And now, Friends, many of other examples in the 



GEORGE FOX. 



185 



Scriptures might be showed, to encourage women's meet- 
ings in the service of God and Christ, both concerning 
their faithful testimony for the Lord and Christ, and 
their encouragement by the faithful in the Old and New 
Testament, how that they had their assemblies and their 
meetings ; and now they being heirs of life, and of grace, 
and of the Gospel of Christ, which hath brought life and 
immortality to light, you may see over him that has 
darkened you, and before he was. 

So administer of the heavenly and temporal refresh- 
ments, to such as want them ; and stand up for your 
liberty in the light, and life, and grace, and glorious 
Gospel ; being heirs of life and grace, and of the Gospel 
of salvation, and of Christ Jesus, as well as the men. 

And if there were no Scripture for our men and 
women's meetings, Christ is sufficient, who restores man 
and woman up into the image of God, to be helps meet in 
the righteousness and holiness, which they were in before 
they fell ; so He is our Rock and Foundation to build 
upon. 

Now, all you careless women, that are out of God's 
service, and think ye have no need to be in the service 
and work of the Lord, hear the word of the Lord, what 
Isaiah says to such: 4k Arise up, ye women, that are 
at ease ; hear my voice, ye careless daughters, give ear 
to my speech ; many days and years shall ye be troubled, 
ye careless women ; for the vintage shall fall, and the 
gathering shall not come. 1 ' Nor can you expect it in 
your case and carelessness, that neglect God's voice and 
speech, and are not diligent ; your heavenly vintage will 
fall, and of it ye will have little gathering. " Tremble, 
ye women that are at ease ; be troubled, ye careless ones ; 
strip ye, make ye bare, gird sackcloth upon your loins," 
&c. — Isaiah xxxii. Therefore put off that careless gar- 



186 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



merit, and shake off sloth, and put on diligence in the 
service of God. G. F. 

+» 

NO. CCCXXXIII. 

To Friends in Barladoes. 

Swarthmore, Lancashire, 25th of Eighth Month, 1676. 
My dear Friends in the heavenly relation, amongst 
whom the Stone that the builders rejected is elect and 
precious. In Him, Christ, you are elect, who is the 
Head of the corner of God's building : and therefore in 
the Name of Jesus keep your Meetings, in whom you all 
have salvation, and not by any other name under heaven ; 
and though the Lord may try you by the outward 
powers, yet be valiant for God's truth upon the earth ; 
and if some of you be cast into prison, and your goods 
be spoiled, the Lord God, who giveth the increase of all, 
both invisible and visible, can make the fleece to grow 
again ; therefore let your faith be in the power and word 
of life. 

And all seek the peace and good one of another, and 
dwell in the love of God, that does edify the body of 
Christ, and which bears all things, and endures all things ; 
and build up one another in the most holy faith, which 
you have from Christ the Holy One. 

And my desire is, that you may, in the power of God, 
encourage all the faithful women in your island, in the 
work and service of God ; and now you have six men's 
meetings, if you had as many women's meetings, it 
would include all the faithful women in all the corners of 
your island ; and some of your ancient faithful women to 
go from meeting to meeting, till they are settled in the 



GEORGE FOX. 



187 



power of God, and that will keep all alive in the Lord's 
working power and life. 

And all that are not faithful, let them be admonished 
to faithfulness, that so they may come into the light, and 
life, and service of God and Christ. 

And therefore, my Friends, be valiant for God's truth 
upon the earth ; dwell in love, that will bear all things ; 
and let there be an order entered in your books, that 
there be no provoking words spoken in your meetings ; 
but if any have any thing to say, let them speak to them 
in love privately. And when ye have settled your six 
women's meetings, then you may have a Six-weeks, or a 
Monthly, as well as a Quarterly Meeting, as you may see 
meet. 

I received your letter from your Quarterly Meeting, 
and I am glad that you are in the Lord's work and 
service. 

And my desire is, that ye all may stand up for the 
glory and honour of the Lord God, and that his blessings 
may abound among you. 

And so if you were to write to New England and 
Jamaica, where I hear they have precious men and 
women's meetings, it might be well, to encourage one 
another in the work and service of God. 

G. F. 

♦ 

NO. CCCXXXVI. 

To Friends at DantzicJc. 
Swarthmore, the 17th of Third Month, 1676. 

Dear Friends, 

In the love of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, look 
above all your outward sufferings, and him that is out of 
Truth, who makes you to suffer ; and let none separate 



188 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



you from the love of God which you have in Christ 
J esus, by whom all things were made ; I say, let not the 
birth of the flesh, with all his carnal weapons, gaols and 
prisons, threats or reproaches, move you, nor separate 
you from the love of God, nor from your foundation, the 
Rock of Ages, Christ Jesus. And therefore let your 
faith stand in the Lord's power, which is your hedge and 
defence, which is your keeper, and which will keep you 
safe, that you need not be afraid of your enemy. 

! be valiant for God's glory and his Truth upon the 
earth, and spread it abroad, answering that of God in 
every man and woman's conscience ; knowing Him that 
hath brought everlasting peace into the earth : so that 
the songs of salvation may be in your mouths ; for it is 
said, " With the heart man believes, and with the 
mouth confession is made to salvation." So every true 
believer will confess to Christ, his salvation, his way, 
light, and life, out of death and darkness ; his Prophet, 
to open to him ; his Captain and Commander, to com- 
mand and to lead him ; his Counsellor to counsel him ; 
and his Priest, who hath offered Himself for him, and 
who sanctifies him, and offers him up to God. To whom 
be all praise and glory for ever. Amen. 

In this part of the world, and in America, Truth pros- 
pers and spreads ; and by it men and women are made 
God's free people ; being redeemed from him that is out 
of Truth, that they may serve God in the new life in 
Christ Jesus, (out of the old life in Adam in the fall,) 
and so come to live in the heavenly unity, wisdom, love, 
and dominion. 

So in that love that bears all things, and keeps your 
hearts, minds, and souls up to God, which comes from 
God, through which you come to love God and Christ, 
and one another, in that live and dwell. G. F. 



GEORGE FOX. 



189 



NO. CCCXL. 

To Friends in New Jersey, in America. 

Swarthmore, the ±th of First Month, 1676. 

My dear Friends, 

In New Jersey, and you that go to New Jersey, my 
desire is, that you may all be kept in the fear of God, 
and that you may have the Lord in your eye, in all your 
undertakings ; for many eyes of other governments or 
colonies will be upon you ; yea, the Indians, to see how 
vou order vour lives and conversations. And therefore, 
let your lives, and words, and conversations, be as be- 
comes the Gospel, that you may adorn the Truth, and 
honour the Lord in all your undertakings ; let that only 
be in your eye, and then you will have the Lord's bless- 
ing and increase, both in basket and field and storehouse ; 
and at your lyings down you will feel Him, and at your 
goings forth and comings in. So that you may answer 

OCT O tl %J 

the Light and the Truth in all people, both by your 
godly lives and conversations : serving the Lord, and 
being valiant for his Truth, with a joyful heart, upon the 
earth, and the glorious Name in whom vou have salva- 
tion. 

And keep up your meetings for worship, and your men 
and women's meetings for the affairs of Truth, both 
Monthly and Quarterly : and after you are settled, you 
may join together, and build a meeting-house. And do 
not strive about outward things ; but dwell in the love 
of God, for that will unite you together, and make you 
kind and gentle one towards another ; and to seek one 
another's good and welfare, and to be helpful one to 
another. And let temperance, and patience, and kind- 
ness, and brotherly love be exercised among you, so that 



190 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



you may abound in virtue, and the true humility ; living 
in peace, showing forth the nature of Christianity, that 
you may all live as a family, and the church of God, 
holding Christ your heavenly Head, and having Him to 
exercise his offices among you, and in you. 

And therefore be not over eager after outward things, 
but keep above them in the Lord's power, and seed, 
Christ Jesus, that is over all ; in whom you have all life, 
election, and salvation. 

And write over yearly from your Meetings, how you 
are settled, and how your affairs go on in the Truth, and 
how your men and women's meetings are settled. 

And my desires are, that we may hear that you are a 
good savour to God, in those countries : so that the Lord 
may crown all your actions with his glory. So with my 
love to all, G. F. 

— — + 

no. cccxlii. 

My dear Friends and Brethren, 1676. 

Do you all live and walk in that faith (which is the 
gift of God) which all the saints lived in, and by which 
they pleased God, and had the victory, by which they had 
access to God, and by and in which faith they did walk : 
and all the just in all ages and generations, did live by 
the same faith. I say, walk in that faith by which 
Enoch (the seventh from Adam) was translated, and by 
which he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 

Keep in that faith by which Noah built his ark, 
wherein he and his family were preserved ; and the old 
world, that grieved God, and his good Spirit, were 
drowned. 

Walk in that faith by which Abraham forsook his 



GEORGE FOX. 



191 



father's house, and native country, and their idolatrous 
religion. 

And live in that faith, by which Moses forsook Egypt, 
and refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter, 
and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of 
God, than to enjoy the pleasures of the world for a 
season. And by this faith (which is the gift of God) he 
saw God, who is invisible. 

And by this faith was Rahab the harlot saved, and her 
family ; and by this faith the walls of Jericho fell down, 
without any outward instrument of war. 

And by this faith Jacob went down into Egypt, and 
his children ; and by this faith he knew they should 
return again. And the Jews that did not keep in this 
faith, their carcases fell in the wilderness ; but they that 
kept in this faith entered into the land of promise. And 
by this faith had all the valiants of God the victory, and 
his holy prophets and prophetesses, as you may read all 
along in the Scriptures. And by this faith were they 
kept in the fire, and by it the violence of the fire was 
quenched ; and by it the mouths of the lions were 
stopped : so by this faith they had the victory. 

And by this faith was Elijah taken up to heaven : and 
so, as Christ Jesus saith, faith saves, and makes whole. 
And all are to look unto Jesus, the heavenly and the 
spiritual Man, the Second Adam, the Lord from heaven, 
by whom all things were made and created, who is the 
First and the Last, to be both the Author and Finisher 
of their faith. 

Now Christ said : " When the Son of Man cometh, 
shall he find faith in the earth V for all, both J ews and 
Gentiles, were concluded under sin and unbelief ; so sin 
and unbelief were over them, and they shut up under it. 
So whosoever hath this true, saving, and justifying faith, 



192 



EPISTLES. &C. OF 



Christ Jesus hath been the Author of it, and is the 
Finisher of this divine and precious faith. So all eves 
must look unto Him, for he is both Author and Finisher 
of this living, precious, and divine faith. And this is the 
faith of God's elect ; by which faith they have access to 
God, and know their election ; by which faith they are 
translated from death to life, and from the darkness to 
the light, and from the power of Satan unto the power 
of God, and from the corruption to the mcorruption, and 
from the mortal to the immortal, and from the natural to 
the spiritual. 

And by this faith the devil, the destroyer, is resisted, 
who abode not in the Truth ; and by this faith the fiery 
darts of Satan, the adversary of man, are quenched and 
he thereby is overcome. So by this faith you come to 
know the partition wall broken down, that hath been 
betwixt you and God. So in this faith are all the 
household of faith to build upon Christ Jesus, who 
bruises the serpent's head, who is the Author and 
Finisher of faith : and this is called the holy faith ; and 
the one faith ; and by this one faith which J esus Christ 
is the Author and Finisher of, by whom (the Word of 
God) all things were made and created ; and this is the 
faith which all the household of faith are to contend for, 
this one faith which Christ Jesus is the Author of; 
which faith is the gift of God, and is held in a pure con- 
science ; and it is called the mystery of faith ; for the 
natural man, with all the arts, languages, and wisdom 
upon the earth, cannot find it out, or know this mystery, 
or make it ; for Christ Jesus, the heavenly and spiritual 
Man, is the Author and finisher of it ; and the natural 
man, though he may have all the languages that began 
at Babel, yet he may not know the mystery of this one 
faith, which Christ Jesus is the author of. For Pilate, 



GEORGE FOX, 



193 



that set Hebrew, Greek, and Latin over Christ, he was 
so ignorant of the mystery of faith, that he asked Christ, 
what is Truth? And to the Greeks and the Hebrews, 
the preaching of Christ, the Author and Finisher of the 
true faith, was a stumbling-block and foolishness. 

So I do conclude, that no man or woman hath true 
faith merely by the natural knowledge, reading, or under- 
standing of the original tongue and language of the New 
Testament, any uiore than the natural Jews had by the 
reading or knowing of the natural tongue of the Old 
Testament ; nor can any in the whole world have true 
faith, except Jesus Christ be the Author and Finisher 
of it. G. F, 

no. cccxliii. 

Friexds, 1676. 

Do not strive about men, like the carnal Corinthians, 
who cried, " I am of Paul, and I am of Apollos;" and 
leave those that do so to themselves, after you have 
admonished them to keep to the light, grace, and faith 
that comes from Christ ; if they will not hear it, nor 
Him, nor you, then I say they must be left to them- 
selves. And you, whose faith stands not in men, but in 
Christ, the Author of it, keep ye in the order of the 
Gospel, (the power of God), all ye that are heirs of it : 
and in this power of God keep your men and women's 
meetings, the power of God being the author and autho- 
rity of them. Now this is an everlasting and invisible 
power, in which you are all helps meet in the restoration 
by Christ, the heavenly and spiritual Man, whereby you 
are brought into the image, likeness, righteousness, holi- 
ness, and power of God, which man and woman were in 
before they fell. And now the same spirit that drew 

K 



194 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



Adam and Eve from the image and likeness of God, and 
liis power, and righteousness, and holiness, under a pre- 
tence to feed upon that which God had forbidden them, 
(for they thought they should have been wiser than God 
had taught them), would keep man and woman in the 
fall. Now they, by hearkening to that spirit, and eating 
of the forbidden fruit, fell and lost the image of God, and 
righteousness, and holiness, and the power in which they 
had the dominion, and were brought into the fall by 
hearkening to this false spirit, the adversary, who envied 
their happiness and prosperity. And so by their fall 
they came under another power, another image, another 
likeness, and another god, even the god of the world. 

Now this adversary and deceiver appeared against man 
in paradise ; and men and women are now deceived by 
him, and are under his power in the earth. This same 
spirit, who is the adversary and destroyer, that led Adam 
and Eve into the fall, strives to keep men and women in 
the fall, and in the earth, and opposes them in their con- 
version, regeneration, and restoration. 

And this was the same spirit that rose in Cain against 
Abel, and envied his acceptable sacrifice, and his righ- 
teous state, as it did Adam and Eve's prosperity in the 
ruling power, wherein they had dominion over all. And 
the same spirit is risen now, striving to keep people in the 
fall, that men and women should not be helps meet in the 
restoration by Christ Jesus. So, I say, the same spirit 
that envied Adam and Eve before they fell, the same 
spirit opposes the men and women's meetings in the 
order of the Gospel, in their restoration : and that which 
led them into the fall, does strive to keep them in the fall, 
that it might be lord ; and not Christ be Lord, who re- 
stores them. 

So the same spirit is risen, that rose against Noah in 



GEORGE FOX. 



the old world ; but Noah was preserved in the ark, over 
the floods, when the old world was drowned, and all God's 
people are preserved in Christ Jesus, over the floods of 
the world ; I say, they are preserved in Christ J esus 
(the Ark) over all the floods of the adversary, and from 
the judgments that God brings upon him, and those 
that follow him. And as Noah was preserved in the ark, 
over the outward floods that drowned the old world, so 
will God's people be preserved from the fire and brim- 
stone, that is prepared for the wicked, and the devil and 
his angels. 

And the same spirit is risen now, that arose in 
Pharaoh, and in Corah, Dathan, and Abiram ; in 
Pharaoh, to oppose the people, and stop them from 
going out of Egypt ; and walking in the law of God, in 
which they might worship God ; which law of God was 
good, just, and holy, and went over all transgression and 
sin, which led into death, that it might reign : and not 
the Lord and his law. 

And that spirit which led Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, 
who thought Moses took too much upon him, and busied 
himself too much, pretending that the people were holy ; 
so would not have them go further, but there to have 
made a stop, and set down according to its will : — but 
see how they were stopped, and what became of Pharaoh, 
how he was sunk in the sea, and the other into the earth. 

And what became of them that opposed Aaron in his 
priesthood ; their rods did not bud, yet they would have 
been teachers and ministers, but they had not the fruit 
in the tabernacle in the morning that they might see 
how to deal their bread to the hungry ; and therefore 
they whose rods did not bud, God's fire consumed them ; 
for they have nothing to offer to God, but manifest pre- 
sumption and rebellion : and see the end of such. 

k 2 



196 



EPISTLES, &C. F 



And therefore keep under Christ Jesus's teaching, who 
is the prophet God has raised up, like Moses, whom all 
should hear and obey. And the same spirit is risen now 
that rose against Christ and the apostles. And Christ 
called them serpents, and of their father the devil, the 
destroyer, the adversary, who had deceived Adam and 
Eve by his false teaching ; and envied their happiness, 
and led them from God. 

And such as came to John, and were baptized by him, 
and rejoiced in his light for a season, and many that fol- 
lowed Christ, and said He was a Prophet ; yet at last 
these turned from Him that descended and ascended ; and 
He told those that rejoiced in John's burning light for a 
season, God's mind was not abiding in them, and that 
they had not seen his shape, nor heard his voice at any 
time ; and that they received honour of man, but knew 
not Christ the Heavenly Man, that received not honour 
of the earthly man. And such as said He was a Pro- 
phet — when He said, they must eat his flesh, the heavenly 
bread that came down from heaven, they forsook Him ; 
for their minds turned downward, to feed upon that 
which was below. 

And the same spirit is risen now, that rose against 
the apostles, as you may see in their Epistles. Some got 
the form of godliness, and denied the power ; and some 
were enemies to the cross of Christ, the power of God ; 
others were getting another Gospel than the power of 
God, which brought them under the curse; others were 
speaking the things of God, in the words that man's 
wisdom taught them ; others, their faith was standing in 
words, and not in the power of God ; others, their faith 
which should have stood in Christ, was standing in Paul, 
and Apollos : which grieved the Apostles ; others with 
good words and fair speeches deceived the hearts of the 
simple. 



GEORGE FOX. 



197 



And therefore, all they which preached faith, and 
made shipwreck of faith, were, and are still denied : and 
all such as preach God and Christ, and crucify Christ to 
themselves afresh, and deny God in their works, were 
then, and are denied. All such as preach the Light, and 
walk in darkness, and preach the Spirit, (the fruits of 
which are love and peace), and are in strife and enmity, 
were never owned by God, nor Christ, nor good men, 
though they may be called Christians. And all such as 
preach liberty, and themselves were servants of corrup- 
tion, were, and are still denied. And all such as cry, 
Lord, Lord, and preach Christ, Christ, and do not his 
will, enter not into his kingdom themselves : and into it 
they can bring none, that do not go into it themselves : 
which kingdom stands in power, and in joy, and peace in 
the Holy Ghost. 

And all such as preach the word of God, and are not 
doers of the word, they are deceivers of their own souls, 
and they may deceive others with their good words : but 
such cannot be reconciled to God, neither can they bring 
others to reconciliation with God. 

So this spirit is but one ; which spirit all along has 
wrought against the true Spirit of God in all his people : 
and was in strife, and contention, and disquietness against 
the righteous in all ages ; but it wrought its own de- 
struction, and the fall of them that followed it ; as you 
may see through all the Scriptures. 

And therefore all are to keep the unity of the Spirit, 
the bond of the Heavenly Man Christ Jesus's peace ; He 
being the head above all principalities, powers, thrones, 
and dominions ; who is ascended above all, that He 
might fill all things ; who is over all, the beginning and 
ending, and lives and reigns from everlasting to everlast- 
ing, the Amen. G. F. 



198 



EPISTLES, kc. OF 



NO, CCCXLVII. 

Concerning subjection of the spirits of the Apostles one to 
another, in the unity of the Spirit of Christ. 

1677. 

The apostles heard at Jerusalem, that the Samaritans 
had received the word of God, and they sent unto them 
Peter and John. Now Peter and John did not in op- 
position say, " We will stay till we have a motion : but, 
as " the spirits of the prophets were subject to the pro- 
phets," so the spirits of the apostles were subject to the 
apostles. And when tidings came to the church at 
Jerusalem, that the Grecians had believed, they sent 
forth Barnabas to them, and when he came he exhorted 
them ; and when Barnabas had found Paul, he brought 
him to Antioch, where the disciples were first called 
Christians, and the Church sent the collection by the 
hands of Paul and Barnabas unto the elders. — Acts xi. 
22, 23, 30; and ix. 27. Paul and Barnabas took with 
them J ohn, whose surname was Mark ; and Mark did not 
gainsay, and tell them, I must wait for a motion. — Acts 
xii. 25. It pleased the apostles and elders, with the 
church, to send chosen men to Antoch, with Paul and 
Barnabas, and Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief 
men among the brethren ; and they wrote letters by them 
unto the gentiles, Acts xv. 22, saying : " Forasmuch as 
we have heard, that certain that went out from us have 
troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, 
Ye must be circumcised and keep the law ; unto whom 
we gave no such commandment : it seemed good unto us, 
being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men 
unto you ; men that have hazarded their lives for the 
Name of our Lord Jesus Christ." 



GEORGE FOX. 



199 



Paul said unto Barnabas : " Let us go again unto 
every city, where we have preached the word of the 
Lord, and see how they do and Barnabas determined 
to take Mark with them ; and Paul chose Silas, being 
recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God ; and 
they went through Syria and Oilicia ; " and as they went 
through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to 
keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which 
were at Jerusalem ; and so were the churches confirmed 
and established in the faith, and increased in number 
daily. — Acts xvi. 4. The brethren exhorted the dis- 
ciples to receive Apollos. — Acts xviii. 27. And Paul 
sent unto the Ephesians, and called the elders of the 
church, and exhorted them. — Acts xx. 17. Paul com- 
mends Phebe, a servant of the church which is at 
Oenchrea, and bids them receive her in the Lord, and 
assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of. — 
Bom. xvi. 1, 2. " Now if Timothy come, see that ye 
receive him without fear. Let no man despise him, but 
conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me, 
for I look for him with the brethren." — 1 Cor. xvi. 
10, 11. 

Paul said to the Corinthians : " Did I make a gain of 
you by any whom I sent unto you ?" — 2 Cor. xii. 17. 
Or, " Did Titus make a gain of you ?" " Tychicus, a 
beloved brother and faithful minister of the Lord, shall 
make known unto you all things, whom I have sent unto 
you for the same purpose, that you might know our 
affairs, and comfort your hearts.'' — Eph. vi. 21, 22. 
Paul sent to the Oolossians Onesimus with Tychicus, to 
make known all things unto them that were done witli 
him. — Col. iv. 7 — 9. And when they had read his 
epistle, they were to cause it to be read at Laodicea ; and 
Paul charged the Thessalonians by the Lord, that they 



200 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



did read his epistle amongst all the holy brethren. — 

1 Thess. v. 27. And Paul saith : " Take Mark, and 
bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me for the 
ministry; and Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus."— 

2 Tim. iv. 11, 12. Paul said to Titus, chap. iii. 12 : 
" When I shall send Artemas or Tychicus unto thee, be 
thou diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, and bring 
Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, on their journey dili- 
gently, that nothing be wanting unto them." Paul 
saith to Philemon : " Having confidence in thy obedi- 
ence, I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do 
more than I say." — Philemon 21, 22. 

John saith ; " Look to yourselves, that we lose not 
those things which we have wrought, but that we re- 
ceive a full reward." — " I wrote unto the church, but 
Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among 
them, receiveth us not : wherefore, if I come, I will re- 
member his deeds which he doeth, prating against us 
with malicious words," 2 and 3 Epistles of John. And 
Jude speaks of such as go in " Balaam, Cain, and Corah's 
way, wandering stars, raging waves of the sea, wells 
without water, clouds without rain, trees without fruit, 
twice dead and plucked up by the roots ; their mouths 
speak great swelling words ; to whom is reserved the 
blackness of darkness for ever. These are they that 
separate themselves, such as have not the Spirit. But, 
beloved, build up yourselves in the most holy faith, 
praying in the Holy Ghost ; and keep yourselves in the 
love of God."— Jude 11—21. 

Paul says : " Now 1 praise you, brethren, that ye re- 
member me in all things, and keep the ordinances as I 
delivered them unto you ; and the rest will I set in order 
when I come." — 1 Cor. ii. 11, 34. Paul says in his 
Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, chap. iii. 4, 8. 



GEORGE FOX. 



201 



" And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, 
that ye both do, and will do the things which we com- 
mand you, Now we command you, brethren, in the 
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw your- 
selves from every brother that walketh disorderly^ and 
not after the tradition which he received of us." Again : 
" Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are 
unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be 
patient towards all men ; for ye yourselves are taught of 
God to love one another ; and that ye study to be quiet, 
and walk honestly toward them that are without ; and 
that ye may have lack of nothing." — 1 Thess. v. 14; iv. 
9, 11, 12 ; and in 2 Thess. ii. 15 : " Therefore, brethren, 
stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been 
taught, whether by word or our epistle." 

G. F. 

♦ 

no. cccliii. 

My dear Friends, 1678. 

Whose faces are set towards Zion, from this dunghill 
world of vanity and vexation of spirit ; the glory, com- 
fort, and pleasures of which pass away ; they that enter 
into it, enter into trouble ; and when they are in it, it is 
a great trouble to come out of it, and to be a fool for 
Christ's sake, who is not of this world, but of the world 
that hath no end. And therefore you must believe in 
the light, grace, and truth, that cometh from Him, in 
the inward parts or heart, which directeth your minds to 
Christ, from whence this comes, and uniteth to Him that 
is heavenly, who saith, " Seek the kingdom of God first, 
and the righteousness of his kingdom, then all outward 
things will be added." 

And take heed of your wills, and give not way to 

k 3 



202 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



them, but give way to the power and Spirit of God, 
which erucifieth them, and keeps them under the cross of 
Christ ; so that your inward man may be renewed, and 
the old Adam put off, and that the day-light of Jesus 
Christ maybe seen. And why have they so many reli- 
gions 2 Because they are out of the pure and undefiled 
religion before God, which was set set up above sixteen 
hundred years ago, and which keeps from the spots of 
the world. This religion must be above the world which 
keeps from the spots of it ; and they that are gone from 
this religion, into those of their own making, tell people, 
they must not be perfect here, and must carry a body 
of death with them to the grave : and others say, that 
they must have a purgatory when they are dead ; this 
doctrine is contrary to the apostles, who said, that they 
were cleansed by the blood of J esus, and washed by the 
water of the word. And this blood and water God's 
people must feel the effects of within, to wash and cleanse 
their hearts and consciences ; their hearts and consciences 
being sprinkled, as the apostle saith, 44 with the blood of 
Jesus, from their dead works, to serve the Living God." 
For many may talk of the blood of Jesus without them 
in their dead works, not serving the Living God, their 
hearts and consciences being not sprinkled with the blood 
of Jesus ; for they must feel it within as well as without. 

So all must come to the Spirit and the Truth in their 
hearts and souls, if they do know the God of truth, who 
is a Spirit, and must worship Him in spirit and in truth. 
And as all that did eat of the passover in the old Cove- 
nant were to be circumcised in the flesh, so are all in the 
new Covenant to be circumcised with the Spirit, by put- 
ting off the body of the sins of the flesh, that came upon 
man by transgression, if they will feed on Christ their 
heavenly sacrifice ; for the old Covenant of circumcision 



GEORGE FOX. 



203 



was held in the flesh, and then they did feed upon the 
natural sacrifices ; but the new Covenant is held in the 
grace, light, and Spirit, by which they are circumcised, 
and so do feed on their heavenly sacrifice : for in the old 
Covenant they were not to eat the blood of beasts, or any 
blood ; but in the new Covenant Christ tells you, " Ex- 
cept you do eat my flesh, and drink my blood, ye have 
no part in me." For as by Adam and Eve's eating that 
which God forbade, came death ; so, if Adam and Eve's 
sons and daughters have life again, it is by eating of that 
which Christ commands ; and as by eating came death, 
so by eating cometh life, and not by talking ; no, not by 
talking of the Son of God ; for all reprobates may do so ; 
for the apostle saith, " If Christ be not in you, ye are 
reprobates :" and " he that hath not the Son of God, 
hath not life ; and he that hath the Son of God, hath 
life;" and the saints did confess the Son of God was 
come, and had given them an understanding, and they 
were in Him, and they were to walk as He walked, and 
not only to talk as He talked : for there are too many 
talkers, and few walkers in Christ ; my desire is there 
may be more walkers. 

And my desire is, that you, in your measures, may be 
preserved to the Lord, and know what he doth require of 
you, " to love mercy, to do justice, and to walk humbly 
with God for the more He gives, the more he requires ; 
and the less that He gives, the less He requires ; who 
will judge the world in righteousness, according to the 
Gospel preached in every creature ; showing that there 
is something of God in every creature that shall answer 
his judgment ; and therefore my desire is, that all may 
be faithful to what the Lord hath made known unto 
them by his grace and truth, light, power, and Spirit, 
and then the Lord will supply them with more ; to whom 



204 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



be glory and praise, who is the Creator of all, through 
Jesus Christ, by whom all things were made. Amen. 

G. F. 

no. cccliv. 

Dear Friends, 

My love to you all in the Seed of life and peace, which 
floweth as a river, and bruiseth the head of the serpent, 
that hath brought death and darkness, woe, misery, and 
imperfection, upon and in man ; — and in this Seed, Christ, 
all nations are blessed and elected ; and out of it is the 
curse and reprobation. Out of this Seed are all the false 
religions, false ways, false worships, and false churches, 
or bodies without heads, like so many monsters ; which 
the seed of the serpent hath brought forth since the 
apostles' days ; and then they have made themselves 
heads out of their bodies or churches ; and when one 
head has fallen off, then they make another and set it 
upon their body or church, having lost and gone from the 
true head, Christ. 

And sometimes the members do fall out about making 
a head for their body, so that the members do destroy 
one another about it. Now this monstrous body is 
brought in by this evil seed in such as are gone from the 
light, grace, power and spirit, that cometh from Christ 
the heavenly Head, in whom dwelleth the fulness of 
Divinity, and they are never likely to come to the true 
Head, Christ, but by coming to the light, grace, power, 
faith and spirit of Jesus, which cometh from Him, and 
turneth to Him again. 

And since men have gone from the light, grace, truth, 
spirit, and power of Jesus in this night of apostacy, 
they have gone from that which cometh from the Head 



GEORGE FOX. 



205 



Christ and which joins to Him. In this night of apos- 
taey there have been many bodies without the true Head. 
And therefore all must come to the grace, truth, power, 
spirit and faith that cometh from Jesus, if they do come 
to Him, and hold Him for their Head, Christ — by whom 
all things were made, who is the first and the last, the 
beginning and the ending. Hallelujah. 

G. F. 

♦ 

NO. CGCLV. 

To Friends in America, concerning their Negroes and 

Indians. 

Swarthmore, the Tenth Month, 1679. 

All Friends every where that have Indians or Blacks, 
you are to preach the Gospel to them, and other servants, 
if you be true Christians ; for the Gospel of salvation 
was to be preached to every creature under heaven ; 
Christ commands it to his disciples, " Go and teach all 
nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, 
Son, and Holy Ghost And this is the one baptism 
with the spirit into one body, which plunges down sin 
and corruption, which hath gotten up by disobedience 
and transgression ; for all have been plunged into sin and 
death from the life, for all died in Adam : then they 
have been all subjected by the evil spirit, which hath led 
them out of the Truth into the evil ; and therefore they 
must all be baptized into the death of Christ, and put on 
Christ, if they have life. 

And also, you must preach the grace of God to all 
Blacks and Indians, which grace brings salvation, that 
hath appeared unto all men, to teach and instruct them 
to live godly, righteously and soberly ; which grace of 



206 



EPISTLES, &C. OP 



God is sufficient to teach and establish all true Christians? 
that they may appear before the throne of grace. 

And also, you must teach and instruct Blacks and 
Indians, and others, how that God doth pour out of his 
Spirit upon all flesh in these days of the new Covenant, 
and new Testament ; and that none of them must 
quench the motions of his Spirit, nor grieve it, nor vex 
it, nor rebel against it, nor err from it, nor resist it ; but 
be led by his good Spirit to instruct them ; and with 
which they may profit in the things of God ; neither 
must they turn from his grace into wantonness, nor walk 
despitefully against the Spirit of grace, for it will teach 
them to live soberly, godly, and righteously, and season 
their words. 

And also you must instruct and teach your Indians 
and Negroes, and all others, how that Christ, by the 
grace of God, tasted death for every man, and gave Him- 
self a ransom for all men, to be testified in due time, and 
is the propitiation not for the sins of Christians only, but 
for the sins of the whole world ; and how that he doth 
enlighten every man that cometh into the world, with 
his true light, which is the life in Christ, by whom the 
world was made. 

And Christ, who is the Light of the world, saith : 
" Believe in the light, that ye may become children of 
the light. And they that do evil, and hate the light, 
(which is the life in Christ), will not come to the light, 
because it will reprove them ; and love the darkness 
more than the light; this light is their condemnation. 
And so, all must be turned from darkness to light, to 
believe in the light ; and from the power of Satan to 
God ; and if they do not believe, they will be reproved, 
condemned, and judged by Christ, who hath power in 
heaven and in earth given unto Him, who will judge 



GEORGE FOX . 



207 



both the quick and the dead, and reward every man 
according to his works, whether they be good or evil. 

And therefore you are to open the promises of God to 
the ignorant, and how God would give Christ a Cove- 
nant, a Light to the gentiles, the heathen, and a new 
Covenant to the house of Israel, and the house of Judah ; 
and that He is God's " salvation to the ends of the 
earth and how that " the earth shall be covered with 
the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea;" 
so that the glorious knowledge of the Lord should cover 
the earth. 

And the Lord said, 44 He knew that Abraham would 
teach and instruct his family, that they should learn to 
keep his laws and statutes after he was gone ; and Abra- 
ham did circumcise all his males, yea, them that he had 
bought with his money of any stranger. Now they who 
are of faith, and walk in the steps of faithful Abraham, 
do preach up and instruct all their families in the circum- 
cision of the Spirit, that they might be circumcised with 
the Spirit, which puts off the body of death, and the 
sins of the flesh, that is come up in man and woman by 
transgression ; so that in the Spirit they may serve and 
worship the true and living God ; and so that ye all may 
come to enjoy the presence of the Lord in your families, 
and improve your talents that Christ hath given unto 
you ; for David, that saw Christ in his new Covenant, 
saith, 44 Let all nations praise the Lord:" and again, 
46 All that have breath praise the Lord ;" again, 44 Let 
the poor and needy praise thy Name : and let all people 
praise Thee, God !" and, 44 O ye servants of the Lord ! 
praise the Lord ;" for 44 The Lord is good to all, and his 
tender mercies are over all his works : and all thy works 
shall praise Thee, Lord ! and thy saints shall bless 
Thee ; they shall speak of thy glory and of thy king- 



208 



EPISTLES, &Gi OF 



dom, and talk of thy power :" for the Lord saith : 
" From the rising of the sun to the going down of the 
same, my Name shall be great among the gentiles. And 
in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name ; 
and a pure offering ; for my Name shall be great among 
the heathen, saith the Lord of Hosts." 

And this heavenly incense and offering in every place, 
is the spiritual offering in the new Covenant ; for the 
J ews were to offer but in one place, in the temple, in the 
old Covenant ; but in the new Covenant their offering is 
in the holy temple of their hearts, in the Spirit, with 
which they offer the pure, and holy, and acceptable 
sacrifice to God ; with that Spirit which God had given 
them, they have a living sense of God their Creator and 
Father of all their mercies, who hath made them, and 
hath made all things for them, and redeems them by his 
Son Christ Jesus ; to whom be praise, and glory, and 
honour, and thanks, for evermore. 

So let all bow at the Name of J esus, to his power, and 
light, and Spirit, for they have bowed to the pow T er of 
darkness, that foul and unclean spirit, who is out of 
Truth, and in whom there is no truth. And therefore 
now all are to bow at the Name of J esus ; for there is no 
salvation in any other Name under heaven, but in the 
Name of Jesus, wdiose Name is above every name under 
the whole heaven ; w T ho is the first-born of every crea- 
ture, and the first begotten from the dead, whom God 
now speaks to his people by, his Son ; and all are to hear 
Him, the great Prophet ; and every tongue is to confess 
to Christ Jesus, to the glory of God the Father, who is 
the First and Last, w r ho bruises the serpent's head. And 
so through Christ Jesus man and woman come again to 
God. All blessings and praises be to the Lord God, 
through Jesus Christ, for ever and evermore. Amen. 

G. F. 



GEORGE FOX. 



209 



no. ccclviii. 

Dear Friends. 

With my love to you in the holy peaceable Truth 
that never changes, nor admits of any evil, but makes all 
free that receive it, and that walk in it, and is over all 
the clouds without rain, and wells without water, and 
trees without fruit : — and from the Truth floweth justice, 
equity, righteousness and godliness, mercy and tender- 
ness. It brings a man's heart, mind, soul, and spirit to 
the infinite and incomprehensible God ; and from it a 
love flows to all the universal creation, and it would have 
all come to the knowledge of the truth : it bends everv 
one to their utmost ability to serve God and his truth 
and spread it abroad, and it brings their minds out of the 
earth, which makes them brittle, and changeable, and 
uncertain ; for it doth not change, neither doth it touch 
with that which does change. As to unity : — it makes 
all like itself that do obey it ; universal, — to live out of 
narrowness and self, and to deny it : so it brings all into 
oneness, and answereth the good principle of God in all 
people, and it brings into humility and the fear of the 
Lord, which is the beginning of his Wisdom ; and it 
brings all to have a care of God's glory and his honour : 
and watches over all the professors of it, for their good, 
to keep them within its bounds, and to walk within its 
order. Thanks, glory, and honour, to the Lord God of 
truth over all for ever. Amen. 

The Lord, who is the God of all peace and order, alone 
protects and preserves his people wdth his eternal power ; 
for the devil's power is not eternal ; it had a beginning 
and must have an ending ; for the eternal power limits 
that devourer and destroyer. And therefore, Friends, 
patience must be exercised in the Truth ; so keep to the 



210 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



word of patience, which word was before the world was, 
and abides and endures for ever : and it will keep Friends 
over and out of all the snares of the world and its temp- 
tation. 

So with my love in the Seed of life, that reigns over 
all ; and in it the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep 
you all to his glory. Amen. 

G. F. 



NO. CCCLX. 

Friends, 1679. 

Train up all your children in the fear of God, in his 
new Covenant of light and grace, that thev may know 
Christ, who is their baptizer and circumciser. He 
sprinkles your consciences and hearts with his blood, to 
cleanse you from all sin ; and writes his heavenly law in 
their hearts, that they may obey it and do it : for do not- 
all people in their several false religions, ways, and sects, 
yea, the very Turks and Heathens, train up their chil- 
dren in their own ways ; and likewise, did not the Jews 
train up their children in the old Testament, and old 
Covenant of works ; which old testament and covenant 
Christ hath abolished, and hath established the new Cove- 
nant of light, life, and grace ; And therefore must not all 
the Jews in spirit, in this new Testament, train up their 
children in this new Covenant of light, life, and grace \ 
or else do they not bring themselves under condemnation \ 
For do not the beasts and the fowls teach their young to 
pick, and suck, and do they not feed their young ; and 
will not the young ones cry after the old ones for their 
food ? All these things might teach people. 

Now 7 you having your food from Christ, and God your 
Father ; yea, your bread, your milk, your water, your 



GEORGE FOX . 



211 



wine, your honey, your fine linen, your clothing, your 
breath, your life, your souls, and the image of God, 
which He made you in, which man and woman have lost 
by transgression, but are to be renewed into again by 
Christ, your Eedeemer, Sanctifier, Keconciler. and Medi- 
ator, who makes your peace between you and God ; from 
whom you have your light, grace, and truth, who gives 
you his Gospel, faith, and Spirit ; in whose Name you 
have salvation, and not by any other name under the 
whole heaven ; and who is your heavenly, spiritual Rock 
and Foundation : — cannot you train up all your children 
in the fear of God, and tell them from whence you have 
all these good things, that thev may come to receive of 
all these good things which vou receive from the good 
God, and Christ, the treasure of wisdom and knowledge ; 
that you may say, the children of your children are the 
crown of vour old men in the Truth, and the glorv of 
their fathers in God ; and that you may say, your wives 
are as fruitful vines by the sides of your house, and your 
children like olive plants round about your table ; thus 
shall they be blessed that fear the Lord ; that you may 
say. your sons are plants of God, growing up in their 
vouth ; and that vour daughters may be as corner-stones, 
polished after the similitude of a palace ; and that your 
garners are full, and afford all manner of store, so that 
there is no complaining in your streets : and happy is 
that people whose God is the Lord. 

And now, my friends, if there happen any difference 
among Friends, either with Friends or the world, let it 
be put to reference, if it cannot be ended between them- 
selves. And all that are concerned to end any difference, 
let them have but one ear to one party, and let them re- 
servet he other ear to hear the other party ; so that they 
may judge impartially of matters, without affection or 



212 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



favour, or respect of persons : for you may see how the 
Jews in the old Covenant did judge of things among 
themselves, as long as they kept the law of God, and 
did not go to other nations, or to the heathen for them 
to judge of their matters; and therefore the apostle 
reproves the Corinthians for that fault, for going to law 
one with another before unbelievers ; and told them that 
44 the saints should judge the world, yea, angels and 
then how much more might they judge of things appper- 
taining to this life ! and therefore the apostle exhorted, 
44 If then ye have judgment of things pertaining to this 
life, set them to judge that are least esteemed in the 
church. 1 ' — 1 Cor. vi. 7, 

— — ♦ 

NO. CCCLXII. 

Concerning true Liberty. 

My Dear Friends, 1679. 

The true liberty is in the Gospel, the power of God, 
which the devil and his instruments, with his false 
liberty, cannot get into. 

The bondage, captivity, and thraldom, false freedom 
and false liberty, was and is in old Adam, in transgres- 
sion ; and the true liberty is that which Christ the pure 
and holy One makes free in ; and this is a pure, holy 
liberty, which Christ makes, and sets his people free in ; 
in which they are all to stand fast over all the false 
liberties and freedoms, which are bondage. 

For the Jews, in the days of Christ, boasted of their 
liberty and freedom, though they were in bondage both 
inwardly and outwardly ; they boasted that they were of 
Abraham their father ; but Christ told them 44 the devil 
was their father; and his lusts ye will do." 



GEORGE FOX. 



213 



And also in the days of the apostles, many of the 
false Christians boasted of their liberty ; but they who 
were overcome by them were brought into bondage. 

The true liberty and freedom is in the grace which 
brings salvation, and not destruction ; and which teaches 
to live godly, soberly, and righteously ; to deny the 
world, and not to cleave to it, and follow it. 

This grace establishes the heart, and seasons the 
words ; the fruits of its liberty and freedom will mani- 
fest itself. 

And the fruits of this pure Spirit are pure love, 
righteousness, godliness, patience, temperance, and humi- 
lity ; by which Spirit all are made to drink into one 
spirit ; so that all are the living wells, that have their 
living water from God and Christ, their true and living 
Fountain ; and in which Spirit they have a holy and 
spiritual fellowship, in this baptizing, mortifying, circum- 
cising Spirit, yea, one with another, and with the Son 
and the Father also, through which the love of God 
warms every one's heart : but when the love of many 
waxes cold," as Christ saith, then they go from this 
grace, light, truth, power, and Spirit, and the anointing, 
and the Word of God in their own hearts then 
such turn to be betrayers, and not saviours upon mount 
Zion. And against such, God's swift judgment turns, 
and suddenly falls, though they may cry for a time, 
liberty, freedom, and peace, peace ; but a day of trouble 
will overtake them ere they are aware. 

And therefore, all ye friends of Christ Jesus, stand 
fast in that " liberty wherewith Christ hath made you 
free,'" by his light, grace, truth, Spirit, faith, and ever- 
lasting Gospel, the everlasting power of God, which is an 
everlasting freedom and liberty above all bondage, and 
false fallen liberties and freedoms. 



214 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



And now, ye babes of Christ, if the world do hate you, 
it hated Christ your Lord and Master also ; if they do 
mock, and reproach, and defame, and buffet you, they 
did so to your Lord and Master also ; who was and is 
the green tree, that gives nourishment to all his branches, 
his followers. 

If the world do persecute you, and take away your 
goods or clothes, was not your Lord and Master so 
served? did not they cast lots for his garments ? was not 
He haled from the priests to Herod, and before Pontius 
Pilate, and spit upon ? and if they hate thee, and spit 
upon thee, He was hated and spit upon for thee. Did 
He not go to prison for thee 2 And was He not mocked 
and scourged for thee ? Did not He bow to the cross and 
grave for thee, He " who had no sin, neither was guile 
found in his mouth ?" And did He not bear thy sins in 
his own body upon the tree I and was He not scourged 
for thee, " by whose stripes we are healed V did not He 
suffer the contradiction of sinners ? who died for sinners, 
and went into the grave for sinners, and died for the un- 
godly, yea, tasted death for every man, who through 
death destroyed death, and the devil, the power of death, 
and is risen ; for death and the grave could not hold 
Him, and the powers and principalities, with all their 
guards and watches, could not hold Him within the 
grave ; but He is risen, and is ascended far above all 
principalities, powers, thrones, and dominions, and is set 
down at the right hand of God, and remaineth in the 
heavens till all things be restored : and He is restoring 
with his light, grace, truth, power, Spirit, faith, Gospel, 
and word of life ; so that you read of some " that came 
to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."' 

And therefore all must bow at the Name of J esus their 
Saviour, in his Spirit and Gospel, if you will rise with 



GEORGE FOX. 



215 



Him ; and you must suffer with Him, if you will reign 
with Him ; and die with Him, if you will live with Him ; 
and all that are dead and buried with Christ, and are 
risen with Him, they will seek those things that come 
down from above, where Christ sits at the right hand of 
God ; and there you will seek those things which come 
down from above, and not things which are below. 

For those which seek those things that are below, are 
the talkers of God and Christ, and the prophets and 
apostles'' words, but they are not dead with Christ, nor 
risen with Him ; and therefore they do not seek those 
things that corne down from heaven, where Christ sits at 
the right hand of God. But they that seek the things 
that are above, are dead with Christ, and risen with Him ; 
they, I say, do not seek those things which come down 
from heaven, where Christ sits at the right hand of God ; 
and they have not only sought them, but have found 
them, and received them, and come to sit together in 
heavenly places in Christ Jesus, a safe established and 
heavenly sitting, in the heavenly rest and habitation in 
Christ Jesus, who is the First and Last, and over all, 
from everlasting to everlasting. Blessings and praises 
over all be to the Lord God, through Him, for ever. 
Amen. G. F. 
* . 

NO. CCCLXIV. 

To Friends in America. 
London, the 7 th of the Twelfth Month, 1680. 

Dear Friends, 

My love is to you all in the holy, peaceable Truth ; 
and my desires are, that whatsoever ye do may be done 
in the Name of Jesus, to the glory of God the Father : 



216 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



and all be subject one to another in the fear of the Lord 
God, so that ye may all come to dwell in the love of God, 
which edifies the body of Christ, who is the heavenly 
man. And let all strifes, and divisions, and backbitings, 
or whisperings, or prejudices, cease and be buried ; and 
so whatsoever is amiss, or hath been amiss, let it be put 
down by the Truth and Spirit of God, that it may be 
uppermost, which is a strong bond to unite your hearts, 
and minds, and souls together, and to the Lord ; and be 
kind and courteous one towards another, all studying to 
be quiet, and to excel one another in virtue, purity, holi- 
ness, righteousness, and godliness, in all your words, 
lives, and conversations ; so that you may all walk as 
becomes saints and Christians, every one esteeming and 
preferring one another above himself in the Truth, in 
meekness, and lowliness of mind, and humility : for He 
that inhabits eternity, dwells with the humble heart. 
And therefore do not quench the least motion of God's 
good Spirit in yourselves, nor in any other; but let 
truth and goodness be cherished in all ; and let all harsh- 
ness, and bitterness, and revilings be kept down by the 
Truth, that in it you may bear one another's weakness 
and infirmities, and so fulfil the law of Christ ; keeping 
down revenge, hastiness, or passion ; as knowing ven- 
geance is the Lord's, and He will repay it, on every one 
that does wrong, without respect of persons. 

For, Friends, you should be as lights, or as a city 
that cannot be hid ; and as the salt of the earth, to be a 
good savour : take heed of losing the salt's savour, either 
in word or conversation ; for if you do, you will come 
under the foot of men, they will trample upon you; 
therefore be careful, fervent, circumspect, and faithful in 
the Truth, and let your moderation, temperance, and 
sobriety appear to all men, shewing forth the work of the 



GEORGE FOX. 



217 



Lord, and your honesty and justness in all your words 
and dealings between man and man ; and owe nothing to 
any man but love, that every one of you may be adorned 
with a meek and quiet spirit, which is with the Lord of 
great price : and be endued with wisdom from on high, 
which is pure and peaceable, gentle, and easy to be en- 
treated, and full of mercy and good works ; let the fruits 
of this wisdom appear among you all, and then you will 
all be gentle and easily entreated one of another. 

And keep in the unity of the Spirit, which is the bond 
of the heavenly peace ; and all walk as becomes the 
glorious, joyful, peaceable Gospel of Christ, which is the 
power of God. And therefore, all you who know this 
glorious Gospel of peace, live and walk in it, keeping 
your glorious, heavenly, comfortable fellowship in this 
glorious Gospel of peace, in which enmity cannot come ; 
and in this everlasting Gospel, the everlasting God, who 
is over all, from everlasting to everlasting, will have the 
praise, glory and thanks, who is w T orthy of all, for ever 
and evermore. G. F : 

^ — ♦ ■ 

NO. CCCLXVI. 

A Letter to the Captives who meet together to worshij) God 

in Algiers. 

London, the 17th of the First Month, 1682, 

Dear Friends, 

I understand by a letter from a Friend, a captive 
amongst you, dated the 20th of the Tenth Month, 1681, 
that you have a meeting in Algiers of about twenty, I am 
glad to hear you meet ; and it is very well, that you have 
so much liberty from your Patroons ; and my desire is : 



218 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



that the Lord may preserve you all, that do meet in the 
Name of Jesus, that in your lives, and conversations, 
and words, you may preach righteousness and holiness, 
and godliness, and the life of Truth ; so that you may 
answer the Spirit of God, both in the Turks and Moors, 
and the rest of the captives ; that God's city may be set 
upon the holy hill there, which cannot be hid ; but that 
all may see it with the light wherewith Christ hath en- 
lightened every man that cometh into the world. And 
that Christ's ensign may be set up in those parts ; that 
with his light in all men, they may all see it, and flock 
to it ; and Christ the ensign furnisheth all that come to 
Him, with heavenly armour and spiritual weapons. 

Now Christ enlightens every man that cometh into 
the world, that every one may believe in the Light, and 
may become a child of the light, and have eternal life, 
and be saved ; and so the Gospel of salvation, the power 
of God, is to be preached to every creature under heaven. 
And he that believes, is saved, and hath the salvation ; 
for Christ, by the grace of God, hath tasted death for 
every man. And the grace of God that brings salvation 
hath appeared to all men : and therefore all men, if they 
will have salvation it must be by believing, receiving, and 
walking in the grace of God, which brings it. And the 
Lord pours out of his Spirit upon all flesh ; and there- 
fore all men and women must come to this Holy Spirit 
of God, by which the spirit of enmity may be slain and 
crucified in them ; that in this Holy Spirit of God, they 
may all be in love and unity ; and, with the Spirit of 
God, they may all come to know the eternal, immortal 
God, and serve and worship Him in his Holy Spirit of 
Truth, which He hath poured upon them. And in this, 
all will honour God, and glorify Him through Jesus 
Christ, in his new Covenant of light and grace. 



GEORGE FOX. 



And so, my dear friends, be faithful and valiant for 
God's Truth upon earth, and do not deny the Name of 
Jesus, in whom you have salvation; whose Name is 
above every name under the whole heaven ; that ye may 
all be with his light built upon Him, your Rock and 
Foundation that stands sure. And now, my dear friends, 
though you remain as captives, yet if ye be the freemen 
of God and Christ who leads the devil into captivity, 
that led you captive into his prison of death, darkness, 
and corruption ; — if Christ, I say, has led you out of 
that prison and captivity, into the glorious liberty of the 
'sons of God, stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ 
hath made you free ; and be not entangled with any yoke 
of bondage, to bring you out of that heavenly, spiritual 
liberty. For in this you are free, notwithstanding the 
prisons and captivity of men ; and they are but small 
matters to it : and therefore trust in the arm of the 
Lord's power, who can lay the mountains low, and re- 
move the hills out of their places, and make his lambs to 
skip over all. And therefore mind the Lord and his 
power, that is over all that which makes you to suffer. 

Now your sorrows and afflictions may bring many to 
call upon the Name of the Lord, when He hath brought 
you low ; for God is merciful and gracious to the righ- 
teous ; and his mercies endure for ever. And though 
hunger and thirst and cold, many times you are in, and 
many distresses, yet the Lord is able to support you. 
And now, may you mind the Lord in your poverty, and 
prize his mercies ; and consider whether you did enough 
prize his mercies and liberty and plenty ! And ye may 
read the With Psalm throughout ; there ye may see how 
the Lord brought down such as contemned his counsel, 
and rebelled against his words : well, what can you tell, 
but that this may be the day of the Lord with you, in 



220 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



your captivity, to bring down your hearts and spirits, 
that with the Spirit of the Lord you may turn to Him, 
who is a God at hand ; and that you may call upon the 
Lord in truth and righteousness, that all your sufferings, 
afflictions, and captivity may be sanctified to you. So 
that you may say : " All things shall work together for 
good, to them that love God." And so, with Job, you 
may bless God, u who giveth and taketh away/' and 
that you may glorify God in whatsoever condition you 
may be ; that no trouble may move you ; and that you 
may rejoice in afflictions, persecutions, and tribulations 
in the Lord, through his Spirit that doth uphold you. 
And as you do walk in the light, grace, spirit, and 
gospel, you may turn others to it : that you may have 
unity with them in it ; and that they may come out oi 
the spiritual prison of death, darkness, and corruption 
and captivity, into the liberty of the sons of God in 
Christ Jesus. Amen. 

So with my love to you all in the holy seed Christ 
Jesus, that reigns over all from everlasting to everlasting, 
the Lord preserve vou all tender vines in Him. Amen, 

Gr. F. 



GEORGE FOX. 



221 



NO. CCCLXVII. 

To Friends in Burlington, West Jersey. 

Dear Friends, ] 681 , 

The Lord, by his mighty hand and power, having 
brought you to that place, and settled you there, my 
desire is, that your lives and conversations may preach 
righteousness aiid holiness ; for without holiness none 
shall see God. And the cause why there is not peace in 
a nation or people, is, that they do not live and walk in 
righteousness ; but walk and follow the unrighteous spirit, 
which is out of the Truth. And again, Christ says. 
u Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God f 
for it is the defiled and impure hearts that do not see 
God. And therefore keep in the pure Spirit of God, that 
does mortify all impurity and unholiness, which doth 
blind people from the sight of the pure God. 

And now, my friends, the eyes of other nations will be 
upon you ; and you professing Truth beyond them all, if 
you do not exceed them in truth, righteousness, holiness, 
justice and equity, and in the wisdom of God, which is 
pure, peaceable, &c, by which you may answer the good 
of your government, and all governments about you like- 
wise, you will bring both the judgment of God upon you, 
and the judgment of Truth that you and we profess. 

For you know how that Friends in England and other 
places have admonished the governors and rulers to do that 
which is just and right ; and therefore now you are come 
into place, have a care that you do that which is just and 
right, lest you come under the same reproof by others. 

And therefore have an eye to the Lord in all your 
actions for David saith : (2 Sam. xxiii. 3). u The God 
of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me : He that 



222 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



ruletli over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God : 
and he [that doth so] shall be as the light of the morn- 
ing when the sun riseth, even as a morning without 
clouds ; as the tender grass springing out of the earth, 
by clear shining after rain." Here you may see, it must 
not be unjust men, and men that do not fear God, that 
must be rulers, for they do not receive his wisdom to rule 
withal ; and such will be as clouds without water (as in 
Jude) and then they are not like to refresh the tender 
grass, but hurt it. 

And Solomon saith, " As the roaring lion, and the 
raging bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor people." 
And therefore, with the Spirit of God, keep down the 
wicked spirit in you ; and then you will keep down the 
" roaring lion and the raging bear," with the spirit of 
meekness and patience and wisdom and understanding. 
— Prov. xxviii. 15. 

And the apostle says, " Kulers are not a terror to 
good works, but to the evil." Therefore both rulers and 
ruled must be out of the evil works : and the rulers can- 
not be a terror to evil works, if they live in them them- 
selves. Therefore all ought to live in the power of God, 
which brings them out of the evil, to do that which is 
good ; and then they will be an honour to God, and a 
praise one to another, both ruler and ruled. 

Now the Lord said unto Moses : " Judges and officers 
shalt thou make in all thy gates, (so they were not to 
be made in corners), which the Lord giveth thee in all 
the tribes ; and they shall judge the people with just 
judgment, (mark, just judgment) ! Thou shalt not wrest 
judgment, thou shalt not respect persons ; thou shalt 
take no gift : for the gift blindeth the eyes of the wise, 
and perverteth the words of the righteous. Thou shalt 
not wrest the judgment of the poor in any case : keep 



GEORGE FOX. 



228 



thee far from a false matter : the innocent and righteous 
slay thou not ; for I will not justify the wicked. That 
which is altogether just shalt thou follow- , that thou 
mayst live and inherit the land which the Lord thy God 
hath given thee." Now a people's following and doing 
that which is not just, is the cause they do not live and 
inherit the land. — Devi, xvi. 18 — 20; Exod. xxiii. 6. 
And therefore do that w T hich is just, that you may inherit 
Christ and your spiritual land. " Thou shalt not oppress 
a stranger, seeing you were strangers ; nor vex the 
widows and fatherless." And the Lord saith : 44 You 
shall be holy men unto me." Again the Lord says ; 
" Thou shalt not raise a false report/' &c. 44 Put not 
thy hand with the wicked to an unrighteous witness. 
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil ; neither 
shalt thou speak in a cause, to decline after many, to 
wrest judgment." — Exod. xxiii. 1, 2. 

Again, the Lord saith : 44 Ye shall not do unrighte- 
ousness in judgment ; thou shalt not respect the person 
of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty : but 
in righteousness thou shalt judge thy neighbour. — Lecit. 
xix. 15. And Deut i. 16, 17; and Josh. vii. 24 44 I 
charged your judges," says Moses, 44 saying, hear the 
causes between your brethren, judge righteously between - 
every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with 
him." So let all the strangers that are with vou have 
righteous judgment, as well as those among yourselves. 
And again he saith, 46 Ye shall not respect persons in 
judgment ; but ye shall hear the small as well as the 
great : you shall not be afraid of the face of man ; for the 
judgment is God's ;" so long as ye judge righteously. 

And therefore now, friends, my desire is, that you all 
may be kept in the power and Spirit of God and Christ, 
in humility, and in that you will have a sense of all 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



things, that whatever you act, it may be done in the 
Spirit and power of Jesus Christ, to the praise of God 
the Father, who is set over all, from everlasting to ever- 
lasting who beholds and sees all your words and actions ; 
that you may behold and see with his Spirit, his and his 
Son's divine majesty among you. Amen. 

Bead this in your assembly, and in your meetings. 

G. F. 

■» 

NO. CCCLXVHI. 

To suffering Friends at Horsham, in Sussex. 

Dear Friends, London, 20th of Twelfth Month, 1681. 

Who suffer for your testimony, and to all the rest in 
your county. I am glad to hear of your faithfulness, 
and of your standing for the church which Christ is the 
head of, which is in God, and are become his living mem- 
bers ; and therefore wheresoever you are, in prison or out 
of prison, " where two or three are gathered in His 
name," there is a church, and Christ the Living Head in 
the midst of them ; a Prophet, to open to his church the 
things of his kingdom ; and a Bishop, to oversee his 
living members, that they be preserved in his light, grace, 
truth, spirit, and gospel ; and He is a Shepherd, to feed 
them with heavenly food, who gives life eternal to his 
sheep, which he hath purchased with his own blood ; and 
a Priest, who has offered Himself up a sacrifice for the 
sins of the whole world, who cleanses, and washes, and 
purifies his church, his people ; " a High Priest, made 
higher than the heavens."— Heb. vii. 26. And no priest 
made below the heavens will become Christ's church ; and 
therefore feel and see Christ, exercising his prophetical, 
priestly and kingly offices, and his ruling in your hearts. 



GEORGE FOX. 



225 



And all that will know the right way, or high way, or 
path to the church in God, (2 Tims, i.) " must walk in 
the light," which is the life in Christ : and that will 
guide them to Christ, the way to God, the Head of the 
church, the Rock and Foundation of God that stands 
sure. 

And now, dear friends, my desires are, that you may 
all live in the love of God, and in the unity of his Spirit, 
which is the bond of peace, in which you will be all kind 
and courteous one to another ; and so the God of all peace 
and power support you, and strengthen you, and uphold 
you, throughout all your trials and sufferings ; that He 
may be glorified in you all, who is over all, from ever- 
lasting to everlasting, blessed for ever ; from whom ye 
have blessing and life. 

G. F. 

— — ^ 

NO. CCCLXIX. 

To the flock of Christ Jesus everywhere, to be read in their 
Assemblies. 

21st of the Ninth Month, 1681. 

Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied among you all, 
from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is 
the Fountain of all ; and God hath called you by his 
grace, and gathered you to be a people by his power and 
Spirit, to his Son Christ Jesus, your holy, heavenly, 
spiritual Head, Life, Rock, and Foundation. Now all 
walk in Christ Jesus, and abide in Him, your Vine, and 
in Him you will all bring forth heavenly fruit, to the 
praise and glory of God. 

Christ saith : " In me ye have peace ; in the world ye 
have trouble and therefore keep out of the spirit of the 

l 3 



226 



EPISTLES. &.C. OF 



world ; let not the spirit of the world come into you ; 
for if ye do. ye go into trouble both inwardly and out- 
wardly : but if ye keep in Christ, who is not of the world, 
you keep in your heavenly place and region : for i; he 
that hath the Son of God, hath life," and therefore keep 
in the life in Christ ; and he that hath not the Son of 
God, is in old Adam, in death without life. 

And, " without me," says Christ, u ye can do no- 
thing without his grace, his light, his truth, his gospel, 
his power, his Spirit, his faith, ye can do nothing ; and 
if Christ be not in you, ye are reprobates ; and if He be 
in you, and you in Him, you are in the election, and in 
the Seed, in which all nations are blessed. 

And keep in the cross of Christ, the power of God, 
that keeps you crucified to the world ; that is, dead to 
the world, and the world dead and crucified to you ; for 
if you do not keep in this power of God, which would 
keep you crucified to the world, but let in the spirit of the 
world, you let in his god, which will crucify the good in 
you, and you will come to crucify to yourselves the Son 
of God afresh, and put Him to open shame. Therefore 
keep that crucified with the power of God, which did and 
would crucify the just ; and then you will keep alive in 
the power of God, and live in Christ Jesus, and he will 
be alive in you, and you in Him. 

And now, all friends and brethren, let your meek- 
ness, your temperance, and your gentleness and sobriety, 
and tenderness and moderation, appear to all men ; that 
44 your light may so shine before men, that they may see 
your good works, and glorify your Father which is in 
heaven/'' 

And keep out of the restless, discontented, disquieted 
spirit of the world about the government : for you know 
it has been always our way to seek the good of all, and 



GEORGE FOX. 



227 



to live peaceably under the government, and to seek their 
eternal good, peace, and happiness in the Lord Jesus 
Christ ; and to lay our innocent sufferings before them, 
who have suffered as lambs and sheep, and made no re- 
sistance, but have " prayed for them that persecuted us, 
and despitefully used us, and hated us," according to the 
command of Christ. 

For ye were as sheep going astray, but are now re- 
turned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls : for 
hereunto ye are called ; because Christ hath suffered for 
us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps ; 
who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth ; 
who when He was reviled, reviled not again ; when He 
suffered, He threatened not ; but committed Himself to 
Him that juclgeth righteously. And he that will love 
life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from 
evil, and his lips that he speak no guile. 

Gr. F. 

4>— — 

NO. CCCLXX. 

To Suffering Friends in Leicester. 
Dear Friends, London ISth of Twelfth Month, 1681. 

Your sufferings have been long in that county, and 
great have been your trials, and spoiling of your goods, 
through your adversaries and persecutors' rage against 
you ; but the Lord's secret hand and power is that which 
hath upheld you through all to Himself ; and therefore we 
may say : — What shall separate us from the love of God. 
that we have in Christ Jesus \ Shall tribulations, perse- 
cutions, powers or principalities, thrones or dominions \ 
Nay, there is not any thing able to separate us from the 
love of God in Christ Jesus, whom you have chosen ; a 



228 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



Priest that is from above, not from below, who has offered 
up Himself to God for you, who is not like the Jews' 
priests, that had the tithes of the people for offering up their 
outward offerings, and such like services. So you have a 
Priest from heaven, who is made higher than the heavens, 
and is the Prophet that God has raised up like Moses, 
whom ye are to hear, in his light, grace, and truth. And 
He is your Shepherd from heaven, who has laid down his 
life for his sheep, who is above all the earthly shepherds 
below ; and this Shepherd will feed you with that which 
is heavenly. And he is your Bishop from heaven, to 
oversee you, that you may be kept from sitting down in 
any earthly place, with your minds, spirits, and souls, but 
only to sit down " in the heavenly places in Christ 
Jesus, ^ who is the heavenly and spiritual Bishop, who 
lives for evermore, the First and Last, the Beginning 
and Ending, who is the first-born of every creature, and 
the first begotten from the dead, who does quicken and 
makes alive, and begets from the death, and makes them 
whom He has made alive to sit together in the heavenly 
places in Himself. 

And now, dear friends, I do feel the Lord's eternal 
power present with you, in all your sufferings, how it 
hath and doth support you : and therefore let your faith 
be stedfast in the power of God, which will keep you all 
unto the day of salvation. And that you may all be 
valiant and faithful for God's truth upon the earth, in 
this day of trial and persecution, from teachers, profes- 
sors, and profane, which are below, whose persecuting 
spirit will have but a time ; and therefore be of good 
faith ; for " a sparrow shall not fall to the ground with- 
out the will of the Father ; and ye are of more value 
than many sparrows. " And, " Blessed are they which 
suffer persecution for righteousness sake, for theirs is the 



GEORGE FOX. 



229 



kingdom of heaven : and blessed are ye when men shall 
revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil 
against you falsely for my sake : rejoice, and be exceed- 
ing glad, for great is your reward in heaven." For so 
the old persecutors persecuted the prophets and apostles 
before you. " But rejoice in as much as ye are par- 
takers of Christ's sufferings : for the Spirit of glory and 
of God rests upon you," who are railed upon, and suffer 
for his Name's sake. And though He is evil spoken of 
by your persecutors, yet on your part He is glorified, 
that suffer for his Name. And, therefore, let none be 
ashamed to suffer as a Christian, but let him glorify God 
in his sufferings, who doth support him. 

And so, dear friends, live in love and unity, and be 
kind, and courteous, and tender-hearted one towards 
another ; yea, and to all your persecutors, that you may 
heap coals of fire upon their heads, and so overcome evil 
with good. And so the God of all peace establish you 
all upon his heavenly Rock and Foundation of life, Christ 
Jesus, which standeth sure, and cannot be moved. The 
Lord God Almighty keep and preserve you all, in the 
holy Seed in which all nations are blessed : which bruises 
the lread of the evil seed, that makes you to suffer. And 
the Lord God Almighty arm you with his armour, and 
strengthen you, that you may be able to stand to his glory, 
and that He may be glorified in and among you. Amen. 
So fare ye well in the Lord. G. F. 

— — * 

NO. CCCLXXKI. 

To Friends in Jamaica. 
Deae Friends, Dalston, Mth of Seventh Month, 1682. 

It hath been often in my mind, from a sense of the 
Spirit of the Lord, to lay before you, and commend it to 



230 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



the witness of God in all your consciences ; to have once in 
a year a Yearly Meeting, as they have in Holland, Ger- 
many, and Friezland, and at Rhode Island, and in Eng- 
land, and elsewhere, which are and have been of great 
service ; by Friends seeing one another, and knowing 
how the affairs of Truth prosper, and how Friends do 
grow in the Truth of God, to the comfort and joy of one 
another in it ; in which the Lord Jesus Christ is ex- 
alted : and if there should be any difference among 
Friends which they cannot settle, it may be ended at the 
Yearly Meeting, by some Friends not of the meeting 
where the difference exists : so that all things, by the 
truth and power of God, may be kept in peace and love, 
all dwelling in the wisdom of God that is from above 
which is pure, and peaceable, and gentle, and easy to be 
entreated. And so for you once in a year to meet to- 
gether in the Lord's power, and to wait upon Him in his 
Spirit and Truth one day, and then another day you may 
have a Yearly men and women's Meeting in the Lord's 
power ; in which you may feel his presence and blessing 
flow among you : as for place and time, I shall leave it 
to your best convenience. And the Lord direct you, 
that you may do all things, whatever you do, to his 
glory. You know that in other countries, or provinces, 
they have either Half-yearly Meetings, or Yearly Meet- 
ings, except it be in Jamaica, which several times hath 
been in my mind; for where they are settled, a great 
service is found in them ; and the Lord hath owned 
them, and honoured them with his presence ; and that 
keeps all in a sense of a care of his glory, and a care of 
one another, that they may be kept and preserved in 
God's eternal Truth, in meekness, gentleness, and ten- 
derness, and in love, that edifies the body of Christ. 
And so that all you, in godliness, holiness ; and righte- 



GEORGE FOX. 



231 



ousness, may spend your days to the glory of God ; that 
your conversations may be in heaven, and not below in 
the earth, among the wicked ; that the Lord God, and 
his Son Christ Jesus, may be glorified in you all, who is 
over all, blessed for ever. Amen. 

And friends, it would be very well, if you brought 
forward your case of not swearing, and taking oaths, 
your liberty in which hath been lost through that spirit 
which was unfaithful. Now the same Governor is gone 
over again, in whose time (when he was there formerly) 
that act was obtained, at the Assembly, in which your 
yea and nay was taken instead of an oath and swearing. 
Therefore, see if you can prevail with this Governor and 
his Assembly, to have the same act renewed again, and to 
clear yourselves from that spirit which was the cause the 
act was repealed. 

So, with my love in the Lord Jesus Christ to you all. 
my desires are, that you may all be preserved in God's 
power, to his glory ; and that you may grow in the 
Truth, and spread it abroad, and that with it your hearts 
may be united together. And that ye may be good ex- 
amples in the Truth, and in righteousness and holiness, 
and show forth Christianity in the possession of it, above 
the outside professors. G. F, 

^ — _ 

NO. CCCLXXIV. 

To Friends in Holland. 

London, 17th of Eleventh Month, 1682.. 

Friends and brethren in the holy Seed of life, that 
reigneth over all ; in it walk, and in the power, and 
Spirit, and truth of God, that you all may be as a city 
set upon a hill, that cannot be hid ; and the salt of the 



232 



EPISTLES, kc. OF 



earth, and light of the world, to answer the light of 
Christ in all ; and be a good savour in them that are 
saved, and in them that perish. Live in love, that 
beareth all things, and doth edify the body of Christ, and 
grow up in Him, your Head and Life ; and be kind, and 
courteous, and tender in affection to one another, and walk 
as becometh the Gospel of Christ, the power of God. 

And, dear friends, in this Yearly Meeting the Lord's 
power was over all ; and the Lord's living refreshing 
presence was among us in all our meetings. And your 
Epistle from your Yearly Meeting in Holland was read, 
to the refreshing of Friends ; and one from the Half- 
year's Meeting in Ireland ; and a Testimony from Scot- 
land, that Friends are in love and unity there, and that 
the Truth prospereth and spreadeth ; and by letters from 
America, we find that Friends are pretty well there : and 
at Algiers, in the Turk's country, Friends that are cap- 
tives, about twenty, have set up a meeting ; and a Friend 
that is a captive, declareth the Truth there among them ; 
and their masters do let them meet, and it may be 
of great service there. The Lord's power is over all. 
In it be valiant for God's Truth upon the earth, and 
spread it abroad ; that you may all, in humility exalt 
the Lord, and that the presence of God, and his Son, may 
be among you all ; and so the blessing of the Lord be 
with you all. Amen. G, F c 

■ » 

xo. CCCLXXVI. 

To Friends in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 



Dear Friexds, I6S2, 
With my dear love to you all, in God's holy peaceable 
Truth ; my desire is that you may be all kept careful of 



GEORGE FOX. 



233 



God's glory. Now in the settling of plantations and 
provinces, and especially in woody countries, as yours 
are, you may have many trials and troubles ; but if you 
keep in the wisdom of God, it will keep you gentle, kind, 
and easy to be entreated one of another, and will preserve 
you out of heats, or extremes, or passions ; and let all 
Friends that come over, be with speed settled in their 
plantations, that they may not lie and waste the time of 
themselves and their servants, and spend that which should 
help to settle them in their plantations. And therefore 
you that are concerned in ordering those things, have a 
care that no reproach come upon yourselves and your 
countries ; but that there may be such care taken in all 
things, that there may be no complaints come into Eng- 
land against you. 

And I desire that you may be very kind and courteous 
to all in necessity, in the love of God ; for there are 
many people go over to your countries, some poor and 
some rich ; and so, many eyes are upon you, and those 
that go over to you ; and therefore my desire is, that 
you may all be careful in the love of God, and in his 
truth and righteousness, as the family of God ; and be 
careful and tender to your servants, in all respects, that 
there may come no complaints from them or others ; 
that so in all things you may be ordered by the wisdom 
of God, that his blessing may be amongst you. 

And, dear friends, I desire that you would send over 
an account by the next ship how many meetings you 
have, and how many Meetings Monthly, of men and 
women, and how many Quarterly Meetings, and Half- 
year meetings ; and let us know how Truth spreads and 
prospers amongst you ; which you would do well to 
write over every year, to the Yearly Meeting at London. 
So with my love in the Seed which reigns over all, in 



234 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



whom you have all life and salvation, and peace in the 
Lord God. G. F. 

. *» 

NO. CCCLXXVII. 

To Friends that are prisoners in York. 

Dear Friends, 1682. 

My love is to you, and all the rest of the faithful 
Friends in bonds ; and my desire is to the Lord, that ye 
all may stand faithful and valiant for his glorious Name, 
and his holy peaceable Truth, now in this day of storm 
and tempest ; that none may turn their backs on the 
Lord in this day of trial, and that none may be ashamed 
of confessing Christ before the adulterous generation, as 
Christ said, lest Christ be ashamed of them, before his 
Father and before his holy angels. And therefore now 
is the time and day of your trial ; for the Lord is just ; 
though I know that the faithful and innocent, just and 
righteous, must stand it out ; and therefore mind the 
Lord in all your sufferings, and keep low, and in the 
humility of heart, and there you will feel that He that 
inhabits eternity, dwells with an humble heart, and He 
will be your Shield and Buckler, and Defender in time of 
trouble. The Lord hath promised to deliver his people 
in the six troubles, yea, in the seventh, the perfection of 
troubles ; and therefore do not think time long, and your 
sufferings long, for the Lord will lay no more upon his 
faithful people than you are able to bear ; I know it, and 
am a witness for God in all my sufferings and imprison- 
ments, and haling before magistrates about sixty times, 
in about these thirty-six years. 

And so, friends, when you have been tried, you may 
come forth more precious than gold that is tried in the 



GEORGE FOX. 



235 



fire ; and keep the word of patience, and it will keep you 
from the temptations that come upon the world to try 
them ; for the Word of God was before the world was : 
and though you be in outward bonds from your wives, 
families, houses, and relations, yet the Word of God is 
not bound, neither can they bind it ; the Word of God 
is at liberty, it abides and endures for ever ; it will make 
you all rich, though they think to make you poor with 
their bonds, and cast you into prisons ; but, I tell you, the 
Word of God will make you rich, for the Word of God 
was before the wicked and his bonds were. " They that 
will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution by 
the ungodly for it was the just that suffered by the un- 
just in all ages; and Christ said to Saul: " Why perse- 
cutest thou me V So it was Christ that was persecuted, as 
well as those in whom He reigned. And do not you under- 
stand and know the sufferings and trials which the holv 
men of God went through ; and how by faith they sub- 
dued the mountains ? And consider the faith of Abra- 
ham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the faith of Abel, and Enoch, 
and Noah, and the faith of Jeremiah, and the rest of the 
prophets, and the faith of Daniel and the three children, 
and the faith of all the apostles, what sufferings and im- 
prisonments they went through ; and consider all the 
martyrs since the apostles' days, consider what sufferings 
they have gone through ; and God and Christ is the 
same to uphold you, who are given up in his Spirit, 
power, and faith, to stand for his glory, and to be valiant 
for his Truth and Name upon the earth. 

And therefore keep in your sanctuary, Christ Jesus, 
who destroys the destroyer, and bruises the Serpent's 
head ; and so in Christ J esus, your sanctuary, you all 
are in safety, and all have life and salvation, and peace 
with God. In Him you may all triumph and rejoice 



236 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



with exceeding great joy, and say : " What shall sepa- 
rate us from the love of God which we have in Christ 
Jesus V 9 And the apostle said, that " there was not any 
thing able to separate him from the love of God in Christ 
Jesus." And so with my love to you all in Christ Jesus, 
who was before the devil was, that makes you to suffer, 
and will be when he is gone. In Christ you have 
heavenly peace, that none can take away from you ; in 
Him dwell and live. Amen. 

♦ 

NO. CCCLXXIX. 

An Epistle to all Planters, and such as are transporting 
themselves into foreign plantations in America, fyc. 

London, 22nd of Ninth Month, 1682. 

My friends, who are gone or are going over to plant 
and make outward plantations in America, keep your own 
plantations in your hearts, with the Spirit and Power of 
God, that your own vines and lilies be not hurt. And in 
all places where you do outwardly live and settle, invite 
all the Indians, and their kings, and have meetings with 
them or they with you ; so that you may make inward 
plantations with the light and power of God (the Gospel) 
and the grace, and truth, and Spirit of Christ ; and with 
it you may answer the Light, and Truth, and Spirit of 
God, in the Indians, their kings and people ; and so by 
it you may make heavenly plantations in their hearts for 
the Lord, and beget them to God, that they may serve 
and worship Him, and spread his Truth abroad ; and so 
that you all may be kept warm in God's love, power, and 
zeal for the honour of his Name, " that his Name may 
be great among the heathen/' or gentiles - f and ye may 



GEORGE FOX. 



237 



see over, or be overseers with the Holy Ghost, which 
was before the unclean ghost got into man and woman. 
So with this Holy Ghost, you may see, and oversee, that 
the unclean ghost and his works may be kept out of the 
camp of God : so that his camp may be holy, and all the 
holy may come into it : and He who is holy may walk 
in the midst of you his camp, and be glorified in and 
among you all, who is over all, and worthy of all glory, 
from everlasting to everlasting, blessed and praised for 
evermore. 

" From the rising of the sun, even to the going down 
of the same, my Name shall be great among the gentiles ; 
and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name, 
and a pure offering ; for my Name shall be great among 
the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts. — Mai. i. 11. 

u The Lord reigneth ; let the earth rejoice, let the 
multitudes of the isles be glad. Let every thing that 
hath breath praise the Lord, for the Lord taketh pleasure 
in his people. He will beautify the meek with salvation." 
<*~~Psalms xcvii ; xcviii ; cxlix. and cl. 

G. F. 

— — » 

NO. CCCLXXX. 

To all Christians, to keep to yea, yea, and nay, nay, and 
to fulfil their word and promises. 

Edmonton, 28rd of Eleventh Month, 1682, 
All my dearly beloved friends and brethren every 
where, the Lord God Almighty, with his holy power and 
Spirit, hath gathered and kept and preserved you to this 
day a people to Himself. And now, dear friends and 
brethren, in all your words, in all your business and em- 
ployments, have a care of breaking your words and pro- 



238 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



mises to any people ; but that you may consider before- 
hand, whether you may be able to perform and fulfil 
both your words and promises, that your yea be yea, and 
nay, nay, in all things ; which Christ hath set up instead 
of an oath, yea, above an oath and swearing, in his New 
Covenant and Testament : and the apostle James holds 
forth the same doctrine. 

So let none make any promise, or speak yea, yea, or 
nay, nay, rashly, which they cannot perform : for such 
kind of inconsiderate, and rash speaking is not in the 
everlasting Covenant of light, life, and grace : take heed, 
lest ye be numbered among the covenant-breakers, spoken 
of, Rom. i. 31. and such truce-breakers as the apostle 
speaks of, 2 Tim. iii. " which have a form of godliness, 
but deny the power thereof ; from such turn away," saith 
the apostle. And therefore they that deny the power of 
godliness, will not be faithful to God nor man ; and such 
cannot exercise a good conscience to God, in obedience to 
Him, nor to man, to perform that which is just, righ- 
teous and honest. Therefore the apostle exhorts the 
Christians in the New Testament, to " speak the truth 
in love, and to put away lying, and to speak every man 
the truth to his neighbour." — Eph. iv. 15, 25. And 
David saith : " Who shall abide in thy tabernacle ; and 
who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh up- 
rightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the 
truth in his heart : but they that speak vanity, every one 
to his neighbour, with flattering lips and a double heart, 
the Lord shall cut off." 

And Solomon, speaking of wisdom, says : " My mouth 
shall speak truth ; and wickedness is an abomination to 
my lips." And James says in his general Epistle, " So 
speak ye, and so do," fee* So see here how certain and 
stedfast the holy men of God would have God's people 



GEORGE FOX . 



239 



to be in their words and doings. And also James was 
careful, that the saints in their very outward dealings 
were to be just, and reproved such for saying ; To-day 
or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue 
there a year, and buy, and sell, and get gain : whereas 
they did not know what should be on the morrow, But 
they ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do 
this or that." Therefore you may see how careful the 
apostle was, to keep all true Christians in the fear of the 
Lord, and in the sense of his will. 

Grod is true and faithful to his people in all generations ; 
and so He would have his people to be true and faithful to 
Him, and to one another, and to all men in his Spirit and 
Truth. And Christ saith, " He that is faithful in that 
which is least, is faithful also in much ; and he that is 
unjust in the least, is unjust also in much.'' And fur- 
ther He saith : "If ye have not been faithful in the 
unrighteous mammon, or riches, who will commit unto 
you the true riches V Therefore there must be a just- 
ness and faithfulness in the outward riches between man 
and man, if you will have a place in your hearts for the 
true heavenly riches : the inward faithfulness to God 
bringeth forth faithfulness to men in outward things. 
And, as the apostle said to the saints, " Finally, bre- 
thren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are 
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things 
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things 
are of good report ; if there be any virtue, and if there be 
any praise, think on these things which are very good 
things to be minded, thought upon, and practised by the 
church of Christ. 

And so as every one hath received Christ Jesus, who 
is the Truth, walk in Him the Truth, and speak the 
truth as it is in Jesus: " For you are bought with a 



240 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



price, therefore glorify God in your bodies and in your 
spirits, which are his." 

And the Lord in mercy grant, that all his people (who 
profess his Name) may do so to his praise, to his glory, 
and to his honour over all for ever. Amen . 

G, F. 

— — ♦ 

NO. CCCLXXXI. 

An Epistle commended to the consciences of all concerned. 

1682. 

First, all you vintners that sell wine, that keep 
taverns or such like houses ; and all you inn-keepers, and 
you that keep victualling-houses, ale-houses, strong water 
shops, &c, see that you never let any man or woman 
have any more wine, ale, strong drink, brandy or strong 
waters, or other strong liquors, than is for their health 
and their good ; in that they may praise God for his good 
creatures. For every creature of God is good, and 
ought to be received with thanksgiving. 

But if you do give or let men or women have so much 
w T ine, brandy, strong liquors, strong beer or ale, as to 
make them drunk : 

1. You destroy the good creatures of God. 

2. You destroy them that have not power over their 
lusts. 

3. You are a great cause of ruining them in their 
healths, purses, and estates, (their children and families,) 
in feeding them in their lusts, by letting them have more 
than doth them good ; which also tends to bring God's 
judgments upon you, to your own ruin and destruction. 

For w T hen they are overcome by strong liquors then 
are they fit and do lie open to all manner of wickedness. 



GEORGE FOX. 



241 



And though you think, by selling or letting people 
have wine or strong liquors, more than doth them good, 
or is for their health, that the more they drink, the more 
gain it brings you ; and the more you vend your goods, 
the more profit you get ; — ah poor sellers ! do not you 
think that God with his all-seeing eye doth behold you 
and your actions ? And cannot the Lord soon bring a 
blasting upon all your undertakings, and such ungodly 
gain and profits, and whatsoever you have gained by your 
covetousness from the lusts of others. Will not this 
bring destruction upon you and your unrighteous gain, 
which you have gotten by feeding their lusts. 

For are not you sensible, how many, after they have 
spent their estates or part of them, will run into your 
debts for wine or strong liquors, yea, such as you let 
have more than did or doth them good ? And is not this 
the cause that many break, by trusting, and other ways 
as before mentioned ? Trust should be with that which 
is trusty, which doth not waste or destroy ; and such 
God will bless. And therefore take heed of letting any 
man or woman have any more wine or strong liquors 
than what is for their nourishment, health, and good. 

See what a dreadful woe the Lord pronounced against 
" them that rise up early in the morning, that they may 
follow strong drink ; that continue until night, till wine 
inflame them : then they call for the harp and the viol, 
the tabret and the pipe," &c. " But such regard not the 
work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his 
hands." A sad state ! 

Secondly. Let all who go under the name of Christian 
families, train up their children in the fear of God, and 
keep themselves in the fear of God, that they may keep 
all their servants and families in the fear of God ; out of 
all looseness and wantonness, and vanities, and excess, 

M 



242 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



and from all unrighteousness and ungodliness ; that they 
may keep out of all those things that displease or dis- 
honour the Lord God. And do not nourish up the lust 
of the eye, nor the pride of life, nor the lust of the flesh ; 
for if you do, you nourish up that which is not of God 
the Father. And therefore shun all these evils, and de- 
part from them, and keep in the fear of God. This is 
the way to bring the blessing of God upon a land, king- 
dom, nation, or family. 

" God will destroy them which destroy the earth." — 
Rev. xi. 18. G. F. 
^ 

NO. CCCLXXXII. 

An Epistle to the Household of Faith. 

Friends, 1682. 

Consider how the blessing of the Lord came upon the 
obedient and faithful to the Lord, and rested upon them. 
The Lord said to Abraham : " Get thee out of thy 
country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's 
house," &c. u And I will make of thee a great nation, 
and I will bless thee," &c. " And thou shalt be a bless- 
ing, and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them 
that curse thee ; and in thee and thy seed shall all the 
families of the earth be blessed." Abraham obeyed the 
Lord, and went forth from Ur of the Chaldees, and so 
he left all the religions, and worships, and teachers of the 
country of the Chaldees behind him, and followed the 
Lord. And the Lord said unto Abraham : " Walk be- 
fore me, and be thou perfect." — Gen. xvii. 1. And again, 
the Lord said unto Abraham : " Seeing that Abraham 
shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all 
the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him." — Gen. 



GEORGE FOX. 



2i3 



xii. i — 3 ; and xviii. 18. And again the Lord said unto 
Abraham : u In blessing I will bless thee, and in multi- 
plying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, 
and as the sand which is upon the sea shore, and thy seed 
shall possess the gates of his enemies ; and in thy seed 
shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou 
hast obeyed my voice." Abraham obeying God's voice, 
brought this blessing upon him, as in Gen. xxii. " And 
the Lord said, I know Abraham that he will command 
his children and his household after him, that they shall 
keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, 
that the Lord may bring upon Abraham all that which 
He hath spoken of him/' 

Now you may see here what it is that brings the 
blessing, and kept the blessing upon Abraham and his 
seed, &c. " Now if you be of the true faith, you are of 
Abraham, and are blessed with faithful Abraham. 11 — Gal. 
iii. 9. And in this seed and faith of Abraham, you will 
command your children and your household after you, to 
keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, 
that the Lord may bring the blessing upon you and your 
household and children ; keeping in the same faith and 
seed of Abraham, and you and your children and your 
household, keeping in the way of the Lord, to do justice 
and judgment : then, I say, the blessing which came upon 
Abraham, will come upon you, and upon your children and 
household ; and then you will know the promise of God 
fulfilled : " Cursed is he that curses thee, and blessed is he 
that blesseth thee. 11 And therefore live and walk in the 
Seed " which bruises the head of the serpent/ 5 in which 
Seed all nations are blessed, yea all families, households, 
and children; in which faith and Seed you "command 
(mark, command) your children and your household after 
you, to keep the way of the Lord, as Abraham did, to 

m 2 



244 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



do justice and judgment." — Gen. xviii. 19. Now you 
that have not this authority to command over your 
children and households, you are not in the faith and 
seed of Abraham, to wit, " to command your children 
and household after you, to keep the way of the Lord, 
and to do justice and judgment. " 

Now the Lord had a confidence in Abraham, and so 
He hath in all them that be of his seed and faith now, 
that they will command their children and household to 
keep the way of the Lord, as he did, and to walk before 
the Lord, and to do justice and judgment ; and that 
Abraham's family and children should not go back again 
into those country religions or ways which the seed 
and faith of Abraham hath and had led them out 
of : for they that are commanded to come out of them, 
into God's way, into the way of the Lord, are com- 
manded to keep in the way of the Lord ; and they are 
to command their children and their household to keep 
the way of the Lord, and to keep out of all the way 
of the world, and out of all the ungodly, unjust ways, in 
the Seed which bruises the head of the serpent. " And 
the Lord said to Isaac, I will make thy seed to multiply 
as the stars of heaven," &c. 6C And in thy seed shall all 
the nations of the earth be blessed." — Gen. xxvi. 4. 
Now here you may see that Isaac inherited his father's 
inheritance in the seed, and in the faith and way of the 
Lord ; in which Seed all nations are blessed. And so do 
all they that are of the faith and seed of Abraham, that 
walk in the steps of faithful Abraham, in the way of the 
Lord, and obey his voice, inherit the blessing of Abra- 
ham ; for you may see it was not the only care, that 
their children might inherit a little earth after them, but 
that they might inherit the Seed and the faith, which had 
the blessing. 



GEORGE FOX. 



245 



And Isaac said to Jacob, 44 God Almighty bless thee, 
and give the blessing of Abraham to thee, and to thy 
seed with thee.'' 1 — Gen. xxviii. And this Isaac spake to 
Jacob before Jacob had any children. And here you 
may see Isaac's care, that Jacob and his seed might in- 
herit the faith and blessing of Abraham and Isaac ; and 
this should be their first inheritance, and then they 
should inherit the outward land : and this should be the 
care of all them that walk in the steps of the faith of 
Abraham, to see that their children and household do in- 
herit the faith, seed, and blessing of Abraham, in the 
first place, by keeping 44 in the way of the Lord," &c. 
And they are to command their children to walk 
44 in the way of the Lord," &c, that they may so do. 
And you may see that Jacob did inherit the blessing of 
Abraham and Isaac, in Abraham and Isaac's seed and 
faith. 

And the Lord said unto Jacob : C4 Thy seed shall be 
as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to 
the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the 
south, and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families 
of the earth be blessed :" — so here you may see Jacob's 
possession, who did inherit the blessing of Abraham and 
Isaac ; and they that are of the seed and faith which 
keep the way of the Lord, they do inherit this blessing 
in the Seed in which all nations are blest. And this is 
according to Christ's doctrine, 44 Seek ye first the king- 
dom of God and his righteousness, and all these tilings 
shall be added unto you ;" to wit, 44 what ye shall eat, 
or what ye shall drink, or wherewith ye shall be clothed ; 
for after all these things do the gentiles seek ; for your 
Heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these 
things. 99 

And here Christ, (who was of the seed of Abraham, 



248 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



and of David, according to the flesh,) would have people 
to seek their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven and 
its righteousness, before they seek outward things ; and 
they were to " lay up for themselves treasure in heaven," 
&c, and to know that portion for them and their children. 
—Matthev) vi. And the apostle saith, " The children 
of the promise are counted for the Seed."— Rom. ix. 8. 
" For in Isaac shall thy seed be called." — Gen. xxi. 12. 
And Christ saith, " The good seed are the children of 
the kingdom." — Matt. xiii. 38. And this is the seed in 
which all nations are blessed, who keep the way of the 
Lord, and justice, and judgment ; such the Almighty 
hath blessed with " the blessings from above, the bless- 
ings of the deep, the blessings of the breast and of the 
womb." — Gen. xlix. " And He will also bless the fruit 
of the land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thy oil, and the 
increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep." — 
Dent. vii. " And thev that serve the Lord their God, 
He will bless their bread and their water." — Exod. xxiii. 
" And a faithful man shall abound with blessings." — 
Prov. xxviii. 20. 

So you may see they that are in the faith, and in the 
holy Seed, who keep in the way of the Lord, and com- 
mand their children and household to do the same ; they 
have the blessings from heaven above, and the blessings 
below, yea, the blessings of the eternal inheritance, and 
of the kingdom of God ; and that was their chief inheri- 
tance, that all the faithful seed of Abraham sought to 
possess their household and their children in, who did 
command their children and household to keep the way 
of God, that they might inherit the blessing. David 
saith: u Blessed is the man that walketh not in the 
counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sin- 
ners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful : but his de- 



GEORGE FOX. 



247 



light is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he 
meditate day and night."" Now here is the condition of 
them that do enjoy the blessing, they must keep from the 
counsel of the ungodly, and in the way of sinners, and 
the seat of the scornful : now here you may see David's 
instruction, how people might inherit the blessing. 

Levit. x. " That you may put a difference betwixt the 
holy and unholy, and between the clean and unclean, and 
that you may teach your children all the statutes, which 
the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses." 
And it was so in the Old Testament, that they might 
learn the statutes there. Surely much more they are to 
learn the commands of Christ in his New Testament. 

And in Deut. iv. 9, 10, they were to " teach their 
sons, and their sons' sons and again, they were to 
" teach their children, that they might learn to fear God 
all the days that they lived upon the earth," &c. This 
they were to teach their children ; and again, in Deut. 
xi, it was the command of God, that they were to teach 
their children the commandments of God ; and they were 
to speak of them, when they sat in their house, and when 
they walked by the way, when they lay down, and when 
they rose up ; and in Deut. xxx. Moses told them, that 
" the word was nigh them, in their mouths, and in their 
hearts, that they might do it." And David said: 
" Come, you children, hearken to me, and I will teach 
you the fear of the Lord. ! fear the Lord, you saints ; 
there is no want to them that fear Him." — Psalm xxxiv. 
9, 11. " Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord ; He 
is their help and their shield." — Psalm cxv. 11. 

And you may see all along in the Old Testament, they 
that feared the Lord were commanded to teach and in- 
struct their children in the way of the Lord, that they 
might walk in it, and inherit the blessing ; which was a 



248 



EPISTLES. &C. OF 



better portion than outward riches which will pass away ; 
for they make themselves wings and fly away." Solo- 
mon saith : " Train up a child in the w T ay he should go, 
and when he is old he will not depart from it : foolishness 
is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correc- 
tion shall drive it far from him."— Pruv. xxii. 15. " He 
that spareth the rod, hateth his son ; but he that loveth 
him, chastiseth him betimes. " — " By mercy and truth 
iniquity is purged out ; and by the fear of the Lord 
they depart from evil." — Prov. xiii. 2i. and xvi. 6. 
And the Apostle's command is, for " children to obey 
their parents in the Lord, for this is right.*" — EpA. vi. 1 ; 
and Col. i. 8, 20. 

It is well pleasing to the Lord " for children to obey 
their parents and the bishops or elders were to 44 rule 
w T ell their own houses, and to have their children in sub- 
jection, with all gravity and likewise the " deacons 
were to rule their own children and their own houses 
well.' 3 — 1 Tim. iii. And likewise you may see the good 
report of the widows bringing up children, 44 which fol- 
lowed every good work,' 5 &c. And in Titus, such as 
were elders or overseers, their children were to be faith- 
ful, 44 not accused of riot, or unruly ;" and the aged 
women were to be of good 44 behaviour, as becometh 
holiness,*' &c, 44 and teachers of good things ; and that 
they teach the younger women to be sober," &c, and 
• 4 that the word of God be not blasphemed." 

And Titus was to 44 exhort young men to be sober- 
minded: — for the grace of God which brings salvation 
hath appeared unto all men, teaching us, that, denying 
ungodliness and worldlv lusts, we should live soberlv. 
righteously, and godly in this present world ; — that 
being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs 
according to the hope of eternal life." And Peter saith, 



GEORGE FOX. 



249 



As obedient children not fashioning yourselves accord- 
ing to your former lusts, in your ignorance; but as He 
who hath called you is holy, so be you holy in all 
manner of conversation ; and be not like them, feeding 
themselves without fear, which are the clouds without 
rain, and wells without water, and trees without fruit,'" 
whom Jude declares against ; such cannot eat and drink 
to the praise and glory of God, occ. 

So you see what care, both in the Old and New Testa- 
ments, the faithful parents had to teach their children 
the way of the Lord ; and the Lord hath a confidence in 
all them that fear Him. and are of the faith and seed of 
Abraham, that they will not only admonish their children 
and household, but 44 command their children and house- 
hold after them, to keep the way of the Lord," &e. 
Gen. xviii., and to keep out of the wicked ways of the 
world. The apostle saith, 44 They which be of faith 
are blessed with faithful Abraham,"' And so are all the 
children of God by faith in Christ Jesus; and if you be 
44 Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs accord- 
ing to the promise.''— Gal. iii. And so the children of 
God are counted for the seed, which the good Seed, Christ, 
saith, are the children of the kingdom." 

And the apostle spake to the Romans, that they should 
44 walk in the steps of the faith of Abraham/' Again, 
the apostle saith to the Corinthians, concerning Titus : 
44 Walked we not in the same spirit ■ walked we not in 
the same steps And in the First Epistle of Peter : 
44 Christ hath suffered for us, leaving us an example that 
we should follow his steps, who did no sin, neither was 
guile found in his mouth." So these were holy steps ; 
and they are a religious, holy people, that walk in the 
steps of faithful Abraham, and of Christ and the apostles, 
and these have the pure religion, and 14 do visit the 

m 3 



250 



EPISTLES* kc. OF 



fatherless and widows in their affliction, and keep them- 
selves unspotted from the world and these are they that 
are circumcised with the Spirit, and baptized with the 
Holy Ghost, and serve God night and day, and worship 
Him in spirit and in truth ; and these are the religious 
families, which are of the holy, divine, pure, and precious 
faith, which Christ is the Author and Finisher of, which 
faith purifies their hearts, and is their victory, by which 
they have access to God, in which they please Him, 
and which is called the gift of God ; and they that 
are of this faith, the same are the children of Abraham, 
and are blessed with faithful Abraham ; and Abraham 
was called " the friend of God ; ; ' and so all his chil- 
dren are friends of God, and are not friends of the 
devil, the wicked and unrighteous one ; but him and his 
works they forsake ; and they are friends of righteous- 
ness and holiness, &c. 

And such the blessing of God rests upon, who walk in 
the Seed, Christ, that bruises the serpent's head, in 
which are all nations blest ; and out of the mouth of the 
Seed's seed shall not God's Word depart ; but the Word 
of God doth not abide in them who make a profession of 
the Scriptures, but live not in the power and spirit of the 
Holy Ghost, that gave forth the Scriptures ; such are 
like the Jews, John v, and such think to have life in the 
Scriptures, but they will not come unto Christ that they 
may have life ; for none come to Christ but by believing 
in the light, which is the life in Him the Word. 

Now, dear friends and brethren in Christ Jesus, if you 
keep in the seed and faith of Abraham, in it you will 
command your children and families to walk in the way 
of the Lord ; for in it you have authority, that they may 
keep the pure, holy and righteous way of the Lord after 
you, when you are gone ; that they may succeed you in 



GEORGE FOX. 



251 



the faith and seed, and way of the Lord, and in the 
blessing of God, as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did. 
Amen, G. F. 
^ 

NO. CCCLXXXIII. 

To the Quarterly Meeting at York. 

1683. 

Dear friends and brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ, 
your Life and Salvation, your Rock and Foundation, Rest 
and Sanctuary, in all storms, trials and sufferings ; my 
desire is, that you may all strive for that which makes 
for peace : for " blessed are the peacemakers," they are 
called the children of God." And therefore, whatsoever 
things are honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, 
if there be any virtue and praise, think on these things 
to practise them. So that in the pow r er of the Lord, 
which is over the devil and his power, all may be kept 
chaste, pure, and holy to the glory of God ; and all that 
are in the true faith and knowledge may show it forth in 
virtue, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kind- 
ness, and true charity or love, which beareth all things : 
for they that dwell in love, dwell in God, who is their 
habitation. And let all things be done in love, in the 
name and power of Jesus Christ. And all to strive in 
the Spirit of the Lord God, and his truth, to be of one 
mind and judgment ; so that you may all be baptized 
with one spirit into one body, and so all drink into one 
spirit. And keep the unity and fellowship in the Holy 
Spirit of God, which is the bond of peace amongst all 
God's children, who are led by his Holy Spirit, whose 
communion and fellowship is in the Holy Ghost, bv 
which ye are led into all truth. 

Now, dear friends, let there be no strife in any of your 



252 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



meetings, nor vain janglings nor disputings ; but let all 
that tends to strife be ended out of your meetings, that 
they may be kept peaceable ; so that you may be at peace 
among yourselves, and the God of peace and love may 
fill all your hearts with that love which edifies his church. 
And condescend one to another in the fear of the Lord, 
to that which is honest, just, virtuous, and of good report. 
And where any weakness has been in any thing, let it be 
covered and buried in the Spirit and love of God, that his 
Spirit and love may be uppermost in you all, to unite all 
your hearts together. And that you may all show forth 
that you are the children of whom the heavenly wisdom 
is justified, which is pure, (mark, pure.) peaceable, gentle, 
and easy to be entreated ; which is above the wisdom 
that is below, which is neither pure, peaceable, nor easy 
to be entreated, &c. 

And in all matters of business, or difference, or con- 
troversies, treat one another in such things kindly and 
gently, and be not fierce, or heady and high-minded ; for 
that spirit will bring men and women to be lovers of 
themselves, and to be despisers of others, and of that 
which is good; which leads nature out of its course, and 
so loosens natural affections, and at last brings to be 
without natural affections ; which spirit we see most of 
Christendom is led by, For if they were in natural 
affections they would not destroy their fellow-creatures 
about religion ; but being without natural affections, they 
have not affections to their fellow-creatures ; to wit, man 
and woman, that were made in God's image, The law 
and the prophets commanded : " Love your neighbour as 
yourselves and Christ commands, to " do unto all men 
as ye would have men do unto you ; v and to " love your 
enemies, and to pray for them, and to forgive one another, 
as Christ has forgiven you/' 



GEORGE FOX. 



253 



And now. dear friends, whereas there have been 
formerly some discourses bv some in your meeting? of 
marrying within a year after the decease of the wife or 

c O t/ 

of the husband ; my desire is, in those things, Friends 
may show forth both chastity, and virtue, and tem- 
perance. For formerly hasty marriages were reckoned 
amongst the infamous things, as for a man or a woman 
to marry within the year of the death of the wife or 
husband, And therefore, for virtue and chastity's sake, 
and the Truth and good example's sake, that wdiich is 
honest, lovely, and of good report, keep and w r alk in, and 
follow. For our heavenly light ought to " shine so before 
men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our 
Father which is in heaven. " And therefore all in the 
church of Christ ought to live in the Spirit and power of 
Christ, in which they do judge the world and all the 
fallen angels. 

So in this heavenly power, the virtue, purity, chastity, 
flows and shines over all ; and they that do possess, 
possess as though they did not ; and they that marry, as 
though they married not. They are all resigned in the 
power of Christ, that gives dominion over the world, 
which brings all into one mind, and to be of one heart 
and soul, and to one judgment ; and are a chosen genera- 
tion, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, 
that show forth the praise of Christ, who hath called 
them out of darkness into his marvellous light ; and, as 
living stones, are built up a spiritual household, an holy 
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to 
God by Jesus Christ. 

And so, my dear friends, my desire is that in Jesus 
Christ ye may all live and walk, who is the 44 Seed of the 
woman, that bruises the serpent's head which is the 
head of all wickedness and strife. And in this Seed, 



254 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



Christ, all have rest and peace, who is the First and the 
Last, over all, blessed for ever. Amen. In Him is my 
love to you all, as though I named you. Read this in your 
Quarterly Meeting at York. G. F. 

NO. CCCLXXXIV. 

To the Six Weeks' Meeting in Barbadoes. 

Kingston, the 7th of the Ninth Monk, 1683, 

Dear Friends, 

In Christ, in whom we have peace, purity, holiness 
and righteousness, you must be kept holy and righteous 
to the glory of God ; and righteousness, and holiness, 
and purity, must wear and outlive all that is contrary to 
it ; and patience, and meekness, and humility, and kind- 
ness, and sobriety, must wear out passion, envy, strife, 
and wrath, high-mindedness, and loftiness, and wilful- 
ness ; and therefore consider, the holy men and women of 
God must not strive, but be gentle to all ; and in that 
alone keep their dominion. For truly, friends, love 
gathereth into love, and edifies the body of Christ ; and 
let nothing be done with strife, but in love to the glory 
of God, in the name of Christ, and in his power ; so that 
you all may see and feel Christ among you, ordering you 
all to his glory, with his wisdom, which is pure, peace- 
able, and easy to be entreated ; so that none may be 
burdened nor oppressed in your meetings, but that the 
life and Seed may reign in you all ; and so the Lord may 
have the glory of all, and ye may all have comfort in 
Him your Head. 

And do not strive much with unruly talkers, but keep 
your peace in the Spirit and power of Christ, that will 



GEORGE FOX. 



235 



overcome and wear out all that is contrary to it. So that 
all may keep their own habitation in Christ Jesus, 
who is over all, the First and Last ; and in his power 
and Spirit live and walk, that so you all may be trees 
with fruit, and wells with water, and have bread in your 
own tabernacles, and your own lamps trimmed and burn- 
ing ; and that there may be no strife among you, but 
dwell in love ; for he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in 
God ; so God, who is love, is to be your salvation. And 
condescend to the meek, and to every appearance of the 
Lord God, and make every one's condition in the Truth 
your own ; in that you will deny yourselves, and become 
all to all in the Truth ; so that none may be hurt in the 
Truth, nor made to stumble, nor the blind caused to 
wander, but be directed into the right way ; and all, as 
the tender plants, may grow together, as the Lord's 
planting, and He watering them, and giving the increase 
and growth to his glory ; so that the Lord may have the 
praise and glory of all his works. Amen. G. F. 

^ 

NO. CCCLXXXVI. 

London, 23rd of Twelfth Month, 1683. 

Dear Friends of the Monthly Meeting of Charlestown, in 
Ashly Cooper Biver, in Carolina. 

I received your letter, dated the Sixth day of the 
Eighth Month, 1683, wherein you give an account of 
your meeting and of the country, and of your liberty in 
that province ; which I am glad to hear of, though your 
Meeting is but small ; however, stand all faithful in truth 
and righteousness, that your fruits may be unto holiness ; 
and your end will be everlasting life. And be vou 



256 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



patterns of virtue, modesty, chastity, and sobriety, 
showing forth the fruits and life of Christianity in your 
lives and conversations, that they may preach righteous- 
ness, truth, and holiness to all people in that dark wilder- 
ness ; that you may answer the Truth, both in them 
that are called Christians, and in the Indians. 

And my desire is, that you may prize your liberty, 
both natural and spiritual, and the favour that the Lord 
hath given you, that your yea is taken instead of an 
oath ; and that you do serve both in assemblies, juries, 
and other offices, without swearing, according to the 
doctrine of Christ ; which is a great thing worth prizing. 
And take heed of abusing that liberty, or losing the 
savour of the heavenly salt, which seasons your lives and 
conversations in truth, holiness, and righteousness. For 
you know, when the salt hath lost its savour, it is good 
for nothing but to be trodden under the foot of men. 
For we here are under great persecution, betwixt thirteen 
and fourteen hundred in prison ; an account of which 
hath lately been delivered to the king ; besides the great 
spoil and havoc which is made of Friends'' goods, by 
informers ; and besides the great spoil upon the two- 
thirds of our estates, and upon the twenty pound a month 
acts, and for not going to the steeple-house ; and besides 
many are imprisoned and premunired for not swearing 
allegiance, both men, women, widows and maids ; and 
many are fined and cast into prison as rioters, for 
meeting to worship God. And we are kept out of our 
meetings in streets and highwaj^s, in many places of the 
land, and beaten and abused. And therefore prize the 
liberty, both natural and spiritual, that you enjoy. And 
many are cast into prison because they cannot pay the 
priests' tithes ; and also many are cast into prison by the 
bishops' writs, de excommunicato capiendo. So that at 



GEORGE FOX. 



257 



present we are under great sufferings, persecutions, and 
imprisonments : but the Lord's power is over all, and 
that supports his people. 

But in Ireland, Scotland, Holland, Germany, and 
Dantzic, we hear that Friends are in peace and quiet- 
ness ; and therefore you that have great liberty, both 
natural and spiritual, be valiant for God's truth upon the 
earth, and spread it abroad, both among them that are 
called Christians and Indians ; turning them from dark- 
ness to light, to Christ Jesus the Saviour, whom God 
hath set up for an ensign among the gentiles or heathen, 
and to be his salvation unto the ends of the earth. So 
seek the good of all, and the profit of all, and the salva- 
tion and the glory of God above all; and the exalting of 
his Name and Truth in your day and generation ; and 
live in love, and in the Truth, and the love of it ; and 
" overcome evil with good and " hold fast that which 
is good;" then you can try all things. 

And so with my love to you all in the holy Seed of 
life, Christ Jesus, that reigns over all, who is your sanc- 
tuary, in whom you have all life, and peace, and salva- 
tion ; in Him the Lord God Almighty preserve and 
keep you all, holy, pure, and clean, to his glory. Amen. 

G. F. 

♦ 

NO. CCCLXXXVII. 

To the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in England, Sfc. 

Friends, The 9th of the Fourth Month, 1683. 

Be all faithful in your testimony against tithes, and all 
those things that have come up in the night of apostacy 
from the light, life, and power of God and Christ, and 
against all looseness whatsoever, that the heavenly camp 



258 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



of God may be kept clean and pure. And all Friends, 
look at the Lord above all your sufferings, and trust in 
Him, who by his eternal power has preserved you to this 
day. The Lord, in his glorious power, was with us in all 
our assemblies, at this Yearly Meeting ; He over all hath 
the dominion, and over all evil spirits gave dominion to 
his people. Glory to his Name for ever. Amen. 

And therefore let your eye be to the Gospel, the power 
of God, which has brought life and immortality to light 
in you, which is farther than the law to be looked at. 

G. F. 



NO. CCCLXXXVIII. 

To Friends that are Captives at Algiers. 

Gousey, in Essex, 10th of Second Month, 1683. 

Dear friends who are captives in Algiers, whom the 
Lord hath enlightened with his <; day spring from on 
high," and visited you with his tender mercies in your 
slavery and captivity, that you may know his will, and 
do it in his light, grace, truth, and Spirit, that you may 
serve and worship the holy, eternal, and invisible God 
that made you. 

Now, dear friends, to you is my love, and to all the 
rest that fear God, that meet with you ; my desires are 
that you may all keep low in humility in the fear of God ; 
there is then no danger, for God dwells with the humble, 
and teaches the humble the way they should walk in. 
And therefore be careful of God's glory, you who profess 
the name of God and his Son, that your lives, and words, 
and conversations may preach godliness, righteousness, 
holiness, virtue, sobriety, and modesty, both to Turks, 



GEORGE FOX. 



259 



Moors, Jews, and to your patroons, and to the families 
where you live : for Christ hath enlightened every man 
that comes into the world ; He hath enlightened the 
Turks, Jews, and Moors, with the Light, (which is the 
life in Him the Word,) that all in the Light may know 
God and Christ ; and 4 - the grace of God which brings 
salvation hath appeared unto all men therefore to the 
Turks, Jews, and Moors, yea, to all nations ; so that 
with the grace of God they may be taught to denv un- 
godliness and unrighteousness, and live righteously and 
godly. 

And therefore all must come to this grace of God in 
their hearts, which brings their salvation, (if they have 
salvation), and come to the throne of grace ; and this is 
the covenant of grace, in which is the election ; and God, 
who made all, pours out of his Spirit upon all men and 
women in the world, in the days of his new Covenant, 
yea, upon whites and blacks, Moors, and Turks, and 
Indians, Christians, Jews, and gentiles, that all with the 
Spirit of God might know 7 God and the things of God, 
and serve and worship Him in his Spirit and Truth, that 
He hath given them ; but they that do resist the Truth, 
and quench, and vex, and grieve, and rebel against the 
Spirit that God hath given them, such are not like to 
seiwe and worship God in his Spirit and Truth ; but he 
that endures to the end in God's grace, Spirit, light, and 
truth, shall be saved ; and the Gospel of salvation is 
preached to every creature under heaven ; which Gospel 
is the power of God, and the Gospel of peace ; and so it 
is glad tidings to every creature under heaven, and to all 
nations, who receive and obey it. Now this is the day of 
God's gathering : and therefore all must come to the 
light, grace, truth, power, and Spirit of God in their own 
particulars, which they have from God and Christ, that by 



260 



EPISTLES, fcc. OF 



it they may be built upon Christ, their heavenly Rock 
and Foundation, who is their way to God, who bruises 
the serpent's head, and through death destroyed death, 
and the devil, the power of death ; for sin brought death ; 
and now Christ, who destroys death which sin brought, 
and makes an end of sin, is the sanctuary for all his 
believers in all storms and tempests, trials, and troubles, 
and sufferings, to rest upon, in whom they have peace, 
yea, life and salvation. 

Now there is a common saying among the Turks to the 
Christians, your crucified God, meaning Christ. Now 
there is a mistake in this their saying. Though God was 
in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, it was not the 
Eternal God that was crucified and died, that was in 
Christ ; for Christ said, when He was about to suffer : 
"My God, my God! why hast thou forsaken me?" 
So Christ suffered in the flesh, and died, and was cruci- 
fied, as He was man ; not as He w T as God, the Word 
which was in the beginning ; but as He was man, w T ho 
bore the sins and iniquities of all mankind, and was an 
offering for the sins of the whole world ; who tasted death 
for every man, (all being in death in Adam,) that they 
might have life through Christ, the Second Adam. So I 
say again, that Christ did not die as He was God, but as 
He was man. 54 He was crucified and buried, and rose again 
the third day, and ascended, and is at the right hand of 
God : n this He did by the power of God, as He was man. 
So the Turks are mistaken, to say or to think that the 
Eternal God could be crucified or die. 

Dear friends, I thought needful to write a letter to 
you concerning this their mistake, which you may be 
w T ise in making use of; and my desires are, that you 
may be preserved, and exalt God's name in your places 
of captivity, and in your lives, words, and conversations, 



GEORGE FOX. 



261 



answering God's witness in the Turks, Jews, Moors, and 
your pairoons. And keep low, and walk wisely, that 
you may be a good savour in the hearts of all there- 
aways ; and then the blessings of the Lord, and his 
presence, will rest upon you, and be in you. I think 
you have more liberty to meet there than we have here ; 
for they keep us out of our meetings, and cast us into 
prison, and spoil our goods. And therefore prize your 
liberty in your meetings, and do not abuse it ; and the 
Lord preserve you all in his grace, fear, and wisdom, that 
you may grow up in Christ the head, and walk in Him, to 
the glory of God. Amen. 

Read this openly in your meetings. And I have sent 
you here some books that you may read them, and give 
them to the Turks or English, as you may see fit ; which 
books are to the Turks, one concerning good conversation, 
and another concerning the temple, and another concern- 
ing Abraham instructing his family ; and one to all kings 
and princes ; and another concerning revelation and in- 
spiration ; with some others to read among themselves. 

And, friends, it would be very well for you, if you 
could set the Turks and Moors*' language, that vou might 
be the more enabled to direct them to the grace and Spirit 
of God in them, which they have from God, in their 
hearts ; and then getting their language, you would be 
able to write and translate any papers to them, which 
may be serviceable to instruct them, and for the spread- 
ing of the Truth among the Turks and Moors. So with 
my love to you. G. F. 



262 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. CCCLXXXIX. 

To all the Household of Faith. 

1683. 

The apostle saith : " Be ye not unequally yoked 
together with unbelievers : for what fellowship hath 
righteousness with unrighteousness ? And what com- 
munion hath light with darkness? And what concord 
hath Christ with Belial I And what part hath he that 
believeth with an infidel?" (mark, part) " and what 
agreement hath the temple of God with idols ? Where- 
fore come out from among them, and be ye separate, 
saith the Lord, and touch no unclean thing ; and I will 
receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, (that is, 
take care for you), and ye shall be my sons and daughters, 
saith the Lord God Almighty." 

Therefore have no 44 fellowship with the unfruitful 
works of darkness," but rather reprove them : for the 
church of Christ's fellowship (that are the believers) is in 
the light, which is the life in Christ. And so their fel- 
lowship is with the Father and the Son ; and their com- 
munion is in the Holy Ghost, which proceeds from the 
Father and the Son. And, therefore, the church of 
Christ is to abstain from every appearance of evil ; then 
they cannot join or have unity with them in whom evil 
appears. 

Therefore such lepers that defile the camp of God, 
ought to be turned out of it, till they be healed and 
cleansed from such leprosies ; as knowing that such ac- 
tions and actors are out of the kingdom of God, and out 
of the holy city, new and heavenly Jerusalem. And no 
unclean thing comes into the kingdom of God ; nor 
enters into the kingdom, the holy city. And none come 



GEORGE FOX. 



263 



into the holy city but by repentance, and being turned 
and changed from all manner of evil and uncleanness 
whatsoever. 

And again, the apostle saith to the church of the 
Thessalonians, that 44 they were to study to be quiet, 
and to do their own business, and to work with their own 
hands, and to walk honestly towards them that are with- 
out : and that ye may have lack of nothing." So here 
you may see the diligence in the Truth, that the apostle 
exhorted the church to practise. First, 44 They are all 
to study to be quiet. " Secondly, 44 They are all to do 
their own business, and work with their own hands, that 
they may lack nothing. M And thirdly, " To walk 
honestly towards them that are without." And if they 
walk honestly towards them that are without, they must 
walk honestly towards them that are within. For the 
apostle had some occasion to write to the Thessalonians 
upon the matter : 44 For," saith he, 44 we hear that 
there are some which walk among you disorderly, work- 
ing not at all, but are busy-bodies. Now them that are 
such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread : 
and if any man obey not our w r ord by this epistle, note 
that man," &c, 44 and have no company with him, that he 
may be ashamed : yet count him not as an enemy ; but 
admonish him as a brother." 

You may see there were not those gross evils charged 
upon him, as were upon some among the Corinthians. 
So you may see the apostle's care in the church of Christ 
was to keep all things clean and pure, and all diligent in 
their places, serving the Lord ; and not to be busy-bodies, 
and talkers about other men's business ; but to be quiet, 
and not idle, but 44 doing their own business, that they 
may lack nothing;" and so eat their own bread, natural 
and spiritual. 



264 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



Now the apostle speaks of widows in his first Epistle 
to Timothy, chap, v, what sort of widows they were to 
receive. And ye may see, first, the decent and lovely 
practice in the church of Christ : " Rebuke not an elder, 
but entreat him as a father, and young men as brethren ; 
and the elder women as mothers, and the young women 
as sisters, with all purity/' So are these to be en- 
treated; " And honour widows that are widows indeed. 
And if any widow have children or nephews, let them 
learn" (mark, learn) " first to show piety at home, and 
requite their parents : for that is good and acceptable 
before God.'' So this piety must be learned and showed 
at home ; and these the widows must learn to look to. 
Here these widow women have a service : and in the 
first place they must " learn to show piety at home, and 
to their parents and nephews, and then to show it abroad 
in the church of Christ." So all must learn this lesson, 
to show piety to their children and nephews, and to re- 
quite their parents. For this practice and service is good 
and acceptable before God. 

Now the state of desolate widows : " She that is a 
widow indeed and desolate, trusteth in God, and con- 
tinueth in supplications and prayers night and day : but 
she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. These 
things give in charge, that they may be blameless : but 
if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of 
his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than 
an infidel/' For the faith brings every man and every 
widow to be diligent, and to provide for their own ; that 
is, their children and nephews, or kindred and parents, as 
before : but the apostle says, " especially those of his 
own house:" and so here is piety to be shown still two 
ways ; " for his own, and especially to those of his own 
house" or family ; and here are nephews and parents, as 
before mentioned. 



GEORGE FOX. 



265 



And tlie apostle says : u If any man or woman that 
believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let 
not the church be charged ; that it may relieve those 
that are widows indeed." So here you may see the care, 
piety, and duty, which is required. So let men and 
women learn to show piety to widows, to nephews, and to 
parents. 

Now, friends, concerning putting on of apparel. The 
apostle in the spirit and power of Christ had a care in the 
church of God, that they should adorn themselves as be- 
comes the Gospel, with chaste lives and conversations, and 
with " the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not 
corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit ; 
which is in the sight of God of great price. " This is 
that which arrays and beautifies God's church ; and not 
the outward adorning and plaiting the hair, and every 
new fashion that comes up into the world. — 1 Pet. iii. 
And also the apostle writes to Timothy, and gives him 
that exhortation to the church : " That women adorn 
themselves with modest apparel, with shamefacedness and 
sobriety, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or 
costly array (for that was the practice of the Jew out- 
ward, and is to this day) ; but with that which becomes 
women professing godliness, with good works. So this 
is the adorning that all that profess godliness must be 
arrayed withal. — 1 Tim. ii. 9. So that all may be in that 
good behaviour, which becomes godliness and holiness; 
and likewise chaste and discreet, teachers of good things ; 
that the word of God may not be blasphemed, which 
they profess, as in Titus ii. 

And it is desired, that all Friends that have children, 
families, and servants, may train them up in the pure 
and unspotted religion, and in the nurture and fear of 
God ; and that frequently they read the Holy Scriptures, 

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266 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



which is much better than to be gadding abroad. And 
exhort and admonish them, that every family apart may 
serve and worship the Lord, as well as in public. And 
that when they go to meetings, they may take their 
servants and families with them, that they may not go 
wandering up and down in the fields, or to ale-houses, as 
many have done, to the dishonour of God, and to the 
dishonour of their masters and mistresses' families, and 
to their own ruin and destruction. And therefore, for 
Christ's sake and his pure religion, let there be care taken, 
to prevent all these things. For such an one as cannot 
rule well his own house, having his children in subjection 
with all gravity, how can he take care of the church of 
God. — 1 Tim. iii. 

Now, dear friends, consider old Eli's case, who did ad- 
monish his children ; but because he did not restrain them 
from the follies and the evils they run into, therefore the 
Lord brought his judgments upon him, that he lost his 
children's lives, and his priesthood, and his own life. 
And do you think that this was not written for an exam- 
ple, that others should be warned, hear, and fear ? And 
was not the Gospel and the law given forth to restrain 
people from sin and evil, and such things as dishonour 
God? G. F. 

— — ❖ 

NO. CCCXC. 

An Epistle to all Friends everywhere. 

Dolston, 13th of Tenth Month, 1683. 

Friends, 

This is the word of the Lord unto you all. Live in 
the Seed, in which all nations are blessed; in which 
Seed you are blessed every way, in your goings forth 



GEORGE FOX. 



267 



and in your comings in : and you have the blessings 
from beneath in this holy Seed — yea the blessings of 
him that dwelt in the bush that made the very ground 
holy, which Moses trod upon — which bruises the ser- 
pent's head, who was the first questioner, tempter, 
liar, and deceiver ; and man and woman by harken- 
ing or giving ear to this questioner, liar, and tempter, 
the serpent, fell from their habitation in the image 
of God, and so went out of their habitation and service 
which God had placed them in. But the Seed of 
the woman is come that bruises the serpent's head, in 
which Seed, Christ, all nations are blessed. And all 
you who live and walk in this Seed, you live in Him 
that bruises the serpent's head, that liar, tempter, and 
questioner : yea, and every one by this seed, Christ, 
may be renewed up into the image of God, which Adam 
and Eve were in, in the beginning. And you living in 
this holy Seed, live over all vain unruly talkers, and vain 
disputers, men of corrupt minds, who have the form of 
godliness, but deny the power thereof. You turn away 
from such, for their work is to destroy ; whose words eat 
as a canker, who profess the truth in words, and may 
have the form of godliness, but in their works deny the 
power thereof, who are, to every good work or service, 
reprobate. 

Christ said to his disciples, that the false prophets and 
the antichrists should come to them, to try them : they 
had the sheep's clothing, and outward profession of Chris- 
tianity, but were inwardly ravening wolves to devour 
them. And the apostle John speaks of such as " went out 
from us." It seems they were once among them, " but," 
saith he, " they were not of us ; for if they had been 
of us, they would no doubt have continued with us ; but 
they went out from the true church, that they might be 

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268 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



manifest that they were not of it. And these were the 
antichrists and false prophets, that Christ said should 
come ; which John and the apostles saw were come, and 
exhorted the church to beware of, and to keep to the 
unction which they had from the Holy One. And this 
unction and anointing, as it abides within the saints, the 
true church, and they in it, it will teach them all things, 
and is Truth ; and by it they shall continue in the Son 
and the Father, and so in the holy Seed, Rock, and 
Foundation, that cannot be shaken. 

And the apostle saith : " There was to be a falling 
away first, before the man of sin was revealed ; the. son 
of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself," &c. 
And then the apostle saw the mystery of iniquity already 
working ; and his " coming is after the working of Satan, 
with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that 
perish, because they receive not the love of the truth, 
that they might be saved. And such go into strong de- 
lusions, that they should believe a lie," and not the 
truth. And here you may see there is a falling away, 
before the son of perdition, or Judas, be revealed: and 
they that fall away, receive not the love of the Truth, 
that they might be saved, but believe lies that they shall 
be damned. And the Lord will consume him with the 
Spirit of his mouth, and will destroy him with the 
brightness of his coming, the wicked one, and son of per- 
dition, that is against the righteous, and is the opposer 
and betrayer of them. 

Therefore all the church of Christ are to stand sted- 
fast, and be established in Him, in every good word and 
work, who are from the beginning chosen for salvation 
through Jesus Christ, through the sanctification of the 
Spirit, and the belief of the Truth, and are called by the 
Gospel, the power of Grod, to the obtaining of the glory 



GEORGE FOX. 



269 



of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom the glorious rest and 
peace is. 

And you may see how the church of Christ was 
troubled by such as went out from them, and fell away 
from Truth, and inwardly ravened ; some went like unto 
the swine into the mire ; and some like the dogs to the 
vomit ; and some like wolves that inwardly ravened, and 
yet kept the sheep's clothing. Some went in the nature 
of Cain, sacrificers, and yet were destroyers of the 
righteous ; and some went in the nature (or spirit) of 
Jannes and J ambres, that withstood Moses ; and others 
in the nature of J udas to betray ; and others in the 
nature of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, to gainsay and 
resist the Truth ; and others in the nature of Jezebel. 

And this spirit and nature troubled the church in the 
Old Testament, and troubled the church in the New Testa- 
ment, and they are troubling the church in this Gospel day, 
that is come and coming out of the apostacy. But God's 
trumpet, spirit, and power, was and is always sounded 
against it ; that all people may beware of this evil spirit 
and nature, and keep in the Seed Christ Jesus, that 
bruises the head of it ; in whom ye have love, rest, sal- 
vation, quietness, and peace. Hallelujah. 

And all dwell in love, then you dwell in God, who is 
love ; which love edifies the body of Christ, and builds 
you up in Him who is your sanctuary, in whom the true 
believers live, and have peace ; who clothes them with 
salvation, and with his righteousness, the fine linen of the 
sanctified ones. 

So all walk worthy of the mercies of God, and his 
blessings from above and from below, to the glory and 
praise of God. 

And they that dwell not in love and charity, are 
like the sounding: brass, and tinkling cvmbal ; as vou 
may read, 1 Cor. xiii. 1,8. G. F. 



270 



EPISTLES, &0. OF 



NO. CCCXCI. 

To the Meeting of Friends in Truth, that are Captives in 

Algiers. 

London, 4th of Third Month, 1684. 
Now dear Friends, the Lord hath drawn you by his 
Spirit to his Son Christ Jesus, in whose Name ye 
are gathered; in whose Name ye have salvation, and 
not in any other Name under the whole heaven : so 
that now you know Christ your Saviour, who destroys 
the destroyer, the devil, and his works; and it is 
He that brings forth everlasting righteousness, that 
makes an end of sin, and finishes transgression. So 
that now you may live and walk in the everlasting 
righteousness of Christ J esus, who is your Priest, who 
is made higher than the heavens : Heb. vii, and who 
is your Prophet, that God has raised up, and not man, 
u whom ye must hear in all things.' 5 — Acts iii. 22 ; 
and vii. 37. You were as lost sheep gone astray; " but 
are now returned to the chief Priest and Bishop of your 
souls namely, Christ Jesus. — 1 Pet. ii. 25. And 
Christ saith, " He is the true Shepherd, that hath laid 
down his life for his sheep ; and his sheep know his voice, 
and follow Him. v> He is the Holy and Just One, and 
no guile was found in his mouth. And Christ says : 
66 No man comes to the Father but by Me." So He is 
the new and living way ; and God has given Him for a 
Leader and Counsellor, to counsel his people ; who is the 
holy and living Rock and Foundation, which is above all 
the rocks and foundations below : for He the Rock and 
Foundation is from above, whom all the children of the 
light, that believe in his light, which is the life in Him, 
and are grafted into Him, do build upon. And so the 



GEORGE FOX. 



271 



Lord God Almighty with his eternal power support you 
all, in all your afflictions and sufferings, trials and temp- 
tations ; that you may be built and settled upon this 
Rock and Foundation, that cannot be shaken. 

And now, dear friends, my desires are, and the desires 
of Friends here, that you may all walk soberly, honestly, 
modestly, and civilly, and lovingly, and gently, and ten- 
derly, to all your patroons^ and to all people : and that ye 
may walk righteously, justly, and holily, in all your 
words, dealings, and doings ; that his Name which you 
do profess now, may be honoured, and you may reach by 
your righteous godly lives and conversations, the good in 
all your patroons, and in all others ; so that you may 
show forth the fruits of the Spirit, and the fruits of 
Christianity ; and that you are the possessors of Christ 
Jesus your Mediator, who has made peace betwixt you 
and your God. And as you have received Christ, so 
walk in Him, and know Him to rule in your hearts by 
faith. For herein, as Christ said, is my Father glorified, 
that you bring forth much heavenly fruit, and that your 
spiritual and heavenly light may shine before men, " that 
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father 
which is in heaven.'' 

And now, friends, we understand that some that have 
come lately among you, have been under great sufferings 
and abuses by their patroons, because they cannot honour 
them with that honour which other slaves do, or as they 
have done before. Now, if you wait in patience upon the 
Lord in his Truth (for you are to buy the Truth and not 
to sell it ; and truth is that which is stronger than all) 
the Lord in his time (though He may try you) can 
mollify that nature in them, as He hath done in other 
places, where He hath tried his people with such things. 
And when they have seen that it is for conscience' sake 



272 



EPISTLES, &C. OP 



towards God, and that they worship the Most High God, 
who is an Eternal, Incomprehensible Spirit, who is God 
in heaven and God in the earth, and dwells by his Spirit 
in his humble people, they have been overcome. 

And now, friends, consider they are blessed that suffer 
for Christ's sake ; and it is not only given you to believe, 
but to suffer for his Name. " And that they who will live 
godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution. " But the 
apostle says of the true Christians : " Who shall separate 
us from the love of Christ ? Shall tribulation, or dis- 
tress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness^ or peril, or 
sword I as it is written, for thy sake are we killed all the 
day long : we are counted as sheep for the slaughter: Nay, 
in all these things we are more than conquerors through 
Him that loved us. For, I am persuaded that neither 
death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, 
nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor 
depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us 
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our 
Lord."— Rom. viii. 36—39 ; Psalm xliv. 32. 

Now, dear friends, you may see here was a godly sin- 
cerity, fervency, stedfastness, and resolution in the true 
Christians, which ought to be in all such now, without 
boasting. And the apostle says : M Rejoice, for as much 
as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his 
glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceed- 
ing joy : for if ye be reproached for the name of Christ, 
happy are ye : for the Spirit of glory and of God rests 
upon you ; on their part He is evil spoken of, but on 
your part He is glorified.' 1 — 1 Pet. iv. 13 — 15. 

And so, dear friends, I do commend you to Him that 
has all power to support, who is God all-sufficient to sup- 
ply you, and is near unto all that call upon Him in truth 
and righteousness. Therefore cast your care upon Him ; 



GEORGE FOX. 



273 



for He careth for you. And so, as you walk in the 
Truth, to answer the Truth in your patroons and others, 
you will see in time that you will reach the good in them, 
that they will give more credit to you, and trust you 
more than those that disobey the Spirit of God in their 
hearts. So the Lord preserve you faithful to himself. 

Let us hear as often as you can how things are with 
you. G. F. 

♦ 

NO. CCCXCIII. 

To Friends in Holland. 

Amsterdam, lAth of Fourth Month, 1683. 

Dear friends in the peaceable truth, the glory of God 
let all mind, in your lives and conversations, that you 
may all bring forth the heavenly fruits of the Holy 
Spirit of God to his praise ; living in righteousness, 
meekness, and humility, learning of Christ Jesus your 
Saviour, who is meek : for God doth teach, the humble 
and they grow up in his grace and favour. And 
therefore all take heed of going back again into the 
world's ways, spirit, and words, but keep to the holy 
Spirit of God, that doth lead you in the narrow way to 
life eternal. And in the Lord's light, power, and Spirit, 
meet together, and keep your meetings in the name of 
Jesus Christ, who hath all power in heaven and earth 
given to Him, that you may feel his living and divine 
presence among you, and in his pure, gentle, and heavenly 
love and wisdom, you may be valiant for the name of 
Jesus, and his Truth upon the earth : be not ashamed 
of Christ your Teacher and Prophet, that God hath 
raised up in his New Covenant and Testament, whom you 

n 3 



274 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



are to hear ; neither be ashamed of Christ your Shep- 
herd, who hath laid down his life for his sheep, whose 
voice you are to hear ; who doth feed his sheep, and give 
them life eternal, and none is able to pluck his sheep out 
of his hand, his power ; neither be ashamed of your 
High-priest, who hath offered up Himself for you, and 
doth sanctify you, who is a Priest made higher than the 
heavens ; neither be you ashamed of your Bishop, and 
the chief Shepherd of your souls, to whom now ye are 
returned by his grace and truth, who doth oversee you 
with his heavenly eye, that you do not go astray from 
God : so in Him let your faith stand, who is the Author 
and Finisher of it. My love is to you all in the Lord 
Jesus Christ, who is your Sanctuary, in whom you all 
have life, peace, rest, and, salvation, who is the Amen. 

" Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity : peace 
be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. " — Amen. This 
charity keeps all God's people in the heavenly love and 
unity. G. F. 

— — 

NO. CCCXCVIc 

To the suffering Friends at Dantzic. 

Friends, 1684. 

With my love to you in the Lord Jesus Christ, who 
is your Saviour and Prophet, that God has raised up for 
you, to hear in all things ; your Shepherd, that has laid 
down his life for you, whose voice ye must hear, who will 
feed you in his living pastures of life ; who is your Priest, 
that offered himself for you, who sanctifies you, that 
He might present you to God : so He is become your 
Highpriest, who is made higher than the heavens ; a 
higher Priest than the priesthood of Aaron, and all the 



GEORGE FOX. 



275 



priesthoods upon the earth, that are made by men below ; 
" for He is a High-priest, made higher than the heavens." 
— Heb. vii. And so He is the Chief Shepherd and 
Bishop of your souls, to oversee you that you do not go 
astray from God, who is your Sanctuary, in whom you 
are preserved from the destroyer ; who destroys the devil, 
the great destroyer, and his works, and bruises his head, 
and breaks his power. He, namely, Christ, is your 
Saviour ; in Him you have rest and peace, salvation and 
life eternal. 

Now, dear friends, we do hear and understand, that the 
magistrates have cast you into prison again in Dantzic ; 
and that they have proffered you your liberty, upon 
condition that you would go away, or forsake your com- 
mon meeting-place, or divide yourselves into several 
little meetings. Truly, Friends, we have had many of 
these proffers made to us within this twenty or thirty 
years, but we never durst make such bargains or cove- 
nants, to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as 
we used to do : but did leave our suffering cause wholly 
to the Lord Christ Jesus, in whose name we were 
gathered, who has all power in heaven and earth given 
unto Him : and the Lord at last did and hath tendered 
the hearts of many of our prosecutors, both in England 
and other places ; and therefore it is good to be faithful 
in the Spirit and power of the Lord J esus Christ ; who 
is God all-sufficient to support and supply you all in 
whatever you do, and strengthen you in all conditions. 
For if that should get a little advantage upon you, and 
get you into weakness, it would not rest so, but get more 
upon you. And therefore it is good to stand fast in the 
liberty in Christ Jesus, the Second Adam, the Lord from 
heaven, who hath made you free out of the snares, and 
bondage, and limitations of the wills of the sons of old 
Adam. 



276 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



And whereas some of the magistrates have alleged, 
that Christ departed out of the coasts of the Gadarenes 
upon their request, after he had cast the devils out of the 
possessed men, and they had entered into their swine, and 
run into the sea: — this argument is of no weight, for 
you to go out of their coasts or city, who are settled 
citizens, and have wives and families ; for Christ went up 
and down from place to place and preached ; as He said : 
The Son of Man hath not where to lay his head, 
though the subtle foxes had holes, and the high-flown 
fowls had their nests. And would they take it kindly 
themselves, if the King of Poland, their protector, who 
is of a contrary profession, should use the same argument 
to them, and say : u Be gone, or else do not meet at 
your great public places of worship, but meet in small 
companies, or else depart out of these coasts, as Christ 
did out of the coasts of the Gadarenes ; and, if you do 
not, then you are disobedient to Christ's example : as 
they do apply it upon you !" And so, let them weigh 
the matter and their argument, with the just law of God, 
to do unto you, as they would be done unto themselves, 

And now, dear friends, I desire, however, that you 
walk wisely, gently, lovingly, meekly, and soberly, to 
all the magistrates, and all people, that they may have 
no just occasion in any thing against you : for the 
good must overcome the bad, as the apostle says : 
Overcome evil with good, and dwell in that love that 
can bear all things, and endure all things. And nothing 
can separate you from this love which you have in God 
through Jesus Christ : in this love build up and edify 
one another, that by it you may answer the good in all 
people, and spread his Truth abroad, and be valiant for 
that upon earth. So in his holy peaceable Truth, and 
his Seed Christ Jesus, in which all nations are blest, God 
Almighty preserve and keep you to his glory. Amen. 



GEORGE FOX. 



277 



And now, dear friends, you that have stood such hard 
and cruel sufferings so long, for the Lord's name and 
Truth, and could not be overcome by cruelty, take heed 
now lest you be overcome by fair words and flattery ; for 
in that there is a greater danger. 

G. F. 

♦ 

NO. CCCXCVIII. 

An Ejjisfle to all the prisoners and sufferers for the name 
of the Lord Jesus Christ and his worship. 

" The Word of God is not bound."— 2 Tim. ii. 9. 

London, '3rd of the Tenth Month, 1684. 

Dear Friends, 

In the seed of life that is over all, whom the Lord doth 
support, and hath supported by his eternal arm and power, 
to stand for his glory ; be valiant for his truth and his 
name upon the earth, who is God, All-sufficient and 
Almighty, over all, to support you all, and to supply you 
with all things needful. Xow 3 dear friends, it is not onlv 
siven you to believe in the name of Christ, but also to 
suffer for his name's sake ; so you see and know, it is a 
gift given you to believe, a gift to suffer for Christ's 
sake and his righteousness ; but however, as Christ saith, 
4t Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves;" for 
Christ's believers are as sheep or lambs among wolves ; 
he hath declared that they shall be brought before coun- 
cils, and before rulers, for his name's sake ; but Christ bids 
his disciples " take no thought how or what you shall 
speak ^ for it shall he given you in that same hour what ye 
shall specie ; for it is not you that speal\ hut the SjJirit of 
your Father which speaketh in you and this Spirit of the 



278 



EPISTLES, &G. OF 



Father is sufficient to trust to, for it shall answer all, if they 
have ears to hear, and will eomfort his people, his lambs 
and sheep. And Christ further said, speaking to his dis- 
ciples, Si Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake ; 
but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved 
and he that heareth you, (to wit, Christ's sheep) heareth 
me, saith Christ ; and he that despiseth you despiseth me 
(namely Christ) ; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him 
that sent me, to wit, the Father. — Mat. x ; Luke x. 
And the disciple is not above his master, nor the servant 
above his lord ; for Christ the lord and the master of the 
sheep was despised ; so it is enough for the disciple that 
he be as his master, and the servant as his lord ; for if 
they call the master of the house Beelzebub, how much 
more shall they call them of his household ? But the 
very hairs of your head are all numbered : Fear ye not, 
therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows, and 
not one of them shall fall to the ground without your 
heavenlv Father. See here Christ encourages his 
lambs and his sheep, therefore stand in his will. And 
now [be content,] if it be the will of the Lord to try 
you, his lambs and sheep, by spoiling of your outward 
goods, as he did his servant Job, and others of his ser- 
vants and children, in the days of the apostles, who " took 
joyfully the spoiling of their goods and Moses by faith 
" chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, 
than to enjoy the pleasures of sin which are but for a 
season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches 
than all the treasures of Egypt ; for he had an eye to the 
recompense of reward ; v as in Heb. ix. 

And consider how Noah, Lot, Abraham, Isaac, and 
Jacob, by faith served the Lord, and went through suf- 
ferings and trials ; and Jeremiah and the rest of the pro- 
phets, through faith, went through great sufferings and 



GEORGE FOX. 



279 



imprisonments ; and Daniel, and the three chil dren, 
passed through great sufferings and trials by faith ; so 
faith was their victory, which was the gift of God, which 
Christ is the author and finisher of ; and you read in the 
days of the apostles, what sufferings and imprisonments 
they were carried through by faith ; and since the apostles' 
days, how all the martyrs were carried through great 
sufferings and imprisonments by their faith, which was 
their victory ; in which faith they pleased God, and 
had victory over the devil ; in which faith they were all 
in unity. 

Now, dear friends and brethren, if it doth please the 
Lord to try you who are the believers in the Light, and 
the children of the light and [of] the day of Christ ; I 
say again, if it please the Lord, and it be his will, to try 
youin stinking prisons and dungeons, bridewells, and houses 
of correction, and suffer you to be put in such places, who 
are his sheep and lambs, plants and branches ; I say the 
Lord can sanctify all such places for his people, his 
children, his sons and daughters, and make all pleasant 
to them ; for his sheep and people cannot go anywhere 
from the Lord — for the Lord and his presence is with 
them, and the Angel of his presence saves them ; and 
therefore such jails and dungeons, bridewells, and houses 
of correction, which are for evil-doers, if the Lord do try 
or suffer his people to be put in such places, yet his people 
are all in the hand and under the wings of Christ, and 
he can sanctify all such places to them ; and you, in that 
state, are to pray for the enemies that put you there ; and 
if they curse and hate you, you are to bless them, and to 
do good to them ; and you are to pray for them that 
despitefully use you and persecute you, and love your 
enemies, that you may be children of your Father which 
is in heaven ; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil 



280 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



and on the good, and causeth his rain to fall on the just 
and on the unjust. And the apostle saith to the believers, 
" Try all things ; hold fast that which is good." So you, 
holding fast that which is good, with that you can try all 
things, whether they be good or bad ; " and be not over- 
come with evil, but overcome evil with good. 99 This is 
the command. So it is the good that must overcome the 
evil ; and what have the children of Grod to overcome the 
evil with, but the good ? Therefore, then, all must hold 
fast that which is good ; but when any do go from the 
good in themselves, they are not likely with it to over- 
come the evil, nor to try all things ; for by the good evil 
is overcome, and with it you can try all things, whether 
they are good or bad. Of a good man, David saith, 
" He hath dispersed, He hath given to the poor ; his 
righteousness endureth for ever ; his horn shall be ex- 
alted with honour." They that choose the things that 
please the Lord and keep his covenant, " even them will 
I give a name in my house and within my walls, a place 
and a name better than of sons and of daughters, saith 
the Lord, and I will give them an everlasting name 
which shall not be cut off. v — Isaiah lvi. So you may 
see how the Lord doth encourage his people to walk in 
the truth, in faithfulness to him ; for the Lord hath loved 
his people with an everlasting love ; therefore with loving- 
kindness hath he and doth he draw them unto himself ; 
to serve and worship him. — Jer. xxxi. And Christ saith, 
he that believeth on Him hath everlasting life ; mark, 
hath it. And again, (as in John) Christ saith, " He 
that drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall 
never thirst, but the water that I shall give shall be in 
him as a well of water, springing up to eternal life." So 
every one, mind this well in you, who have drunk of the 
water Christ hath given you. 



GEORGE FOX. 



281 



And the apostle saith, God will punish them that dis- 
obey his gospel " with an everlasting destruction from 
the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his 
power." — 2 T/ms. i. 9. Here you may see everlasting 
destruction to the wicked, that disobey the Gospel ; and 
everlasting life to them that believe and obey the gospel 
of Christ. Now, they that disobey the gospel of Christ 
refuse their own comfort and joy of life and salvation ; 
which gospel is the power of God which is preached to 
every creature under heaven to believe and obey ; there- 
fore, happy are you who have received and obeyed that, 
which brings life and immortality to light in you ; so that 
you see over the enemy which darkened you, and are now 
become heirs of this comfortable and joyful gospel of life 
and everlasting salvation, in which everlasting gospel 
you have an everlasting glorious fellowship ; and in this 
everlasting Gospel, you can praise the everlasting God, 
that reigns over all from everlasting to everlasting. And 
all that are of the seed and faith of David can say as 
David said, " Blessed be God from everlasting to ever- 
lasting ; and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye 
the Lord." And further they can say, " That the mercy 
of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon all 
them that fear him, and his righteousness unto chil- 
dren's children." — Psalm ciii. 17. For the Lord God he 
changeth not, he is the same that he was ; who inhabits 
eternity, and dwells in the humble heart ; and therefore 
you humble ones, fear and serve and worship him. And 
keep under the wing of Christ and in him your sanctuary 
and Saviour, who destroys the destroyer, and is over all, 
the first and the last. Amen. G. F. 



282 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. CCCXCIX. 

Concerning the pure and undefiled Beligion. 

The tth of the Second Month, 1685. 

Dear Friends, 

You who profess the light, faith, grace and Spirit of 
Christ, and the pure undefiled religion before God the 
Father, are to keep yourselves unspotted from the world, 
and to bridle your tongues from evil words, which corrupt 
good manners ; the light of Christ Jesus letteth you see 
the spots of the world ; and the grace of God will teach 
you to deny them ; and the Spirit of Truth, if you be 
led by it, teacheth you to mortify and subdue them. 

And now, friends, here is the pure and undefiled 
religion which the Apostle in the primitive times did 
own, and which, now, we do own. First, this religion is 
pure— Secondly, it is undefiled before God the Father. 
And that which is pure and undefiled before God the 
Father, if you live in it and obey it, will keep you 
unspotted from the world : and that which keeps you 
from the spots of the world, will keep you from the body 
of death and sins of the world. 

And now, friends, you that profess this pure and un- 
defiled religion before God the Father, take heed of 
greediness, and earthly-mindedness, and covetousness, 
which the apostle called idolatry ; for it is a great spot 
and blot of the world that lieth in wickedness. And take 
heed of over-reaching, or using any deceitfulness or fraud 
in your trade or commerce : for over-reaching, and using 
deceit, or any unjust thing, will blot you and spot you, 
and they are contrary to the pure and undefiled religion. 
And take heed of unrighteousness, ungodliness, unholi- 
ness, profaneness, looseness, filthiness, naughtiness, and 
evil words, which corrupt good manners. These things 
will blot you and spot you, and are contrary to the pure 



GEORGE FOX. 



283 



undefiled religion before God the Father ; and they are 
blotted and spotted with the actions of the world that 
lieth in wickedness, and their religion is vain. 

All such as follow the lust of the eye, the pride of life, 
and the lust of the flesh, which are not of the Father, 
but of the god of this world, that abode not in the Truth, 
such are spotted with the spots of the world, and are 
proud, vain, lofty, scornful, high ; and are void of the 
pure, undefiled religion before God the Father. And 
take heed of malice, hatred, envy, wrath, rage, and fury ; 
they are the spots of the world, and are contrary to 
the spirit of meekness, gentleness, kindness, tenderness, 
sobriety, love, and mercifulness, which are the fruits 
of the pure Spirit of God, which leadeth to the pure un- 
defiled religion before God the Father, which is " to 
visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and 
to keep unspotted from the world;' 1 this pure unde- 
filed religion keepeth in the purity of life and conversa- 
tion ; and this is above all, and keeps from all the vain 
religions in the world ; and this is the religion that was 
set up above sixteen hundred years ago, in the church of 
Christ ; and happy had all Christendom been, if they 
had kept to this pure undefiled religion to this day ; 
then they would not have made so many religions as 
they have done ; but to this pure undefiled religion they 
must come again, if ever they come to the true religion ; 
for none can make a better, than the pure undefiled reli- 
gion, which was set up in the church, in the apostles^ 
days, above sixteen hundred years ago ; unto which all 
that profess Christianity should be conformable. 

So here is one God, the Creator of all, and one Lord 
Jesus Christ, by w T hom all things were made and created, 
who is the one Mediator betwixt God and man ; even the 
man Christ Jesus. There is one body, and one Spirit, 



284 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



even as you are called to one hope of your calling, and 
one God and Father of all, who is above you all, and 
in you all, and through you all ; and there is one faith, 
which Christ J esus is the Author and Finisher of ; and 
there is one baptism, and by one Spirit we are all baptized 
into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, bond or 
free ; and must all drink into this one Spirit of Christ, 
and so keep the unity of the Spirit, which is the bond of 
peace ; for the apostle saith : " If any man have not the 
Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Rom. viii. 9. And 
Christ saith, in his prayer to his Father, " That they 
may be all one," meaning the true Christians, " as Thou 
Father art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be 
one in us ; that they may be one, even as we are one ; I 
in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect 
in one." — John xvii. 21 — 23. Here you may see God 
and Christ are one in them (so he prayeth that his people 
may be one) in whom they have rest, life, peace, and 
salvation with God, through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

u Let your conversation (or practice) be without covet- 
ousness,'' &c. — Heb. xiii. 5. 

" Only let your conversation be as becometh the gospel 
of Christ."— Phil. i. 17. G. F. 

NO. CCCCI. 

Bednal-Green, Uth of Fourth Month, 1685, 
Dear Friends and Brethren, 

In the Lord J esus Christ, who is your holy, heavenly 
Rock and Foundation of God, that standeth sure, who was 
the Foundation and Rock of his Church, in the apostles'* 
days, and is now. You may see how Christ sent John 
to encourage his church ; and saith in Rev. iii. 8, " 1 



GEORGE FOX. 



285 



know thy works : behold, I have set before thee an open 
door, and no man can shut it ; for thou hast a little 
strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied 
my Name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue 
of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie ; 
behold, I will make them to come and worship before 
thy feet, and to know that 1 have loved thee. Because 
thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep 
thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon 
all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." 

Now you may see what comfort the sons and daughters 
of God have, that keep the word of patience ; what a 
door is opened to them of the blessings, mercies, and 
riches of God, which no man can shut. And they which 
said they were J ews, and were not, or such as make out- 
ward profession of the words of Truth, and form of god- 
liness, and are not in the Truth, of such the Lord 
saith : "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of 
Sat an,' 9 &c. 

Dear friends, be ye followers of that w T hich is good ; 
and if ye suffer for righteousness* 1 sake, happy are ye: for 
it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for 
well-doing, and not for evil-doing ; because " Christ also 
suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should 
follow his steps ; who, when He was reviled, reviled not 
again ; when He suffered, He threatened not, but com- 
mitted Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. If ye 
suffer for righteousness 1 sake, happy are ye ; and be not 
afraid of their terror, neither be troubled, having a good 
conscience ; that whereas they speak evil of you, as of 
evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your 
good conversation in Christ : and if ye are reproached for 
the name of Christ Jesus, happy are ye ; for the Spirit 
of glory and of God resteth upon you ; on their part He 
is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified. 



286 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



And the apostle saith to the Philippians : " I count all 
things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of 
Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss 
of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may 
win Christ, and be found in Him ; that I may know 
Him and the pow T er of his resurrection, and the fellow- 
ship of his sufferings ; being made conformable unto his 
death." 

And blessed are they who suffer for righteousness'' 
sake, and in whose hearts there is no enmity. And 
blessed are they that dwell in the love of God, that can 
bear all things, and are in the wisdom of God, which is 
pure and peaceable. For troubles, afflictions, sufferings, 
imprisonments, spoiling of goods, and many perils, do 
attend God's people, by the world that lieth in wicked- 
ness ; and therefore it is good for all God's people to keep 
in Christ their sanctuary, in whom they have eternal rest 
and peace. 

And God's people are exercised now, as in days past, 
with trials and perils by false brethren, as the Church 
of Christ was in the apostles' day ; such as w T ent from 
the Church, in the way of Cain, Corah, and Balaam, as 
the apostle saith, " Fierce despisers, false accusers of 
those that are good and you may read in 2 Pet. ii. 
throughout, of such as forsook the right way, and of 
many following their pernicious ways, by reason of whom 
the way of Truth w r as evil spoken of." And so it is now, 
as it was in the apostles' days. And the apostle saith to 
the church : " You have heard say that antichrist shall 
come ; even now are there many antichrists : they went 
out from us, but they were not of us ; for if they had 
been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us ; 
but they went out from us, that they might be manifest 
they w T ere not all of us."— 1 John ii. 18, 19. Christ did 



GEORGE FOX. 



287 



forewarn his disciples of these antichrists and false pro- 
phets, that they should be inwardly ravening wolves, 
and by the fruits of their trees they should be known to 
be of the nature of the wolf, and not of the lamb. Such 
as these went from the church (in the apostles' days) 
into the world ; and such as these are gone from the 
Church of Christ now, into the spirit of the world : their 
evil spirits are tried ; as in 1 John iv. 

And the sufferings and perils by false brethren, have 
been more grief many times to the church of Christ than 
open persecution ; for they cause the way of Truth to be 
evil spoken of; that turn from the way of righteousness, 
like the dog to the vomit, or the sow to the mire. 

Now when God had raised up this Prophet, Christ 
J esus, you see many of the Jews would not receive Him, 
nor believe Him, and many would hardly hear Him, 
though they were called brethren, but they mocked Him, 
and persecuted Him, and blasphemed Him ; and the 
chief priest gave money to Judas, one of his disciples, to 
betray Him. And what became of all the Jews, and of 
Judas, that betrayed and persecuted Christ and the pro- 
phets ! And what became of all those false apostles and 
antichrists, that went in Cain, Corah, Balaam, and Jeze- 
bel's way I And will not all of the same spirit in our 
age, that have gone and are going in the same way, or 
path, have the same end I yea, their latter end will be 
worse than their beginning. But in Christ, the Lamb of 
God, the saints have their rest and peace, and can sing 
Hallelujah. G. F. 



288 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. CCCCIII. 

London, 10th of Fourth Month, 1685. 

Dear Friends in Holland, Friezland, Hamburgh, Fre- 
derickstadt, Dantzic, Palatinate, and all other places 
there-aways, where God's Truth and ensign is set up, 
peace, grace, and truth be multiplied among you, from 
God the Father, and the Lord J esus Christ, the Foun- 
tain of all life, peace, grace, and heavenly wisdom and 
understanding ; and the God of all power and peace, 
through our Lord J esus Christ, fill you with it, and his 
heavenly riches ; that you may all walk worthy of his 
heavenly calling, in all holiness, righteousness, and godli- 
ness, &c., in life and conversation ; and that, by the 
word of life and patience, you may answer the Truth in 
all, both high and low ; so that you may be of good 
savour to God in the hearts of all people. 

For you know there is no other way to God than by 
Christ Jesus ; and you know, that God has raised up 
Christ to be a Prophet in his New Testament, to be 
heard in all things : and you know, He opens, and none 
can shut, and He shuts and none can open : and you 
know, that Christ is the Bishop of your souls, to oversee, 
that you do not go astray from God : and you know, that 
Christ is the true Shepherd, and has laid down his life for 
his sheep ; and they know his voice, and they follow Him, 
and He gives them life eternal : and also you know, that 
Christ is your High-priest, made higher than the heavens, 
by the power of an endless life ; and by Him you are 
made a spiritual priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices 
to God, 

At our Yearly Meeting, the presence of the eternal 
God was amongst us, and his glory, which shines over 



GEORGE FOX. 



289 



all ; and all was quiet and peaceable ; and it was the 
Lord's doing, blessed be his name for ever. 

And your epistle was read in the Yearly Meeting, and 
Friends in the Lord's power read it, and had unity with 
your spirits, and are sensible of your spiritual care in the 
Lord's eternal power, concerning Truth's affairs in those 
parts : in which God Almighty preserve you, and in- 
crease you, both in his w r isdom, knowledge, and under- 
standing ; that you may spread his blessed Truth abroad, 
and answ r er it in all people. 

G. F. 



NO. CCCCIV. 

To Friends in Pennsylvania. 

Bednal-Green, 10th of Ninth Month, 1685. 

Dear Friends, 

I am glad to hear of the good Yearly Meeting at 
Rhode-Island, and that the Lord's power and presence was 
there among vou : and it would be very well to visit the 
generation of the righteous, and to see how their seed and 
vines do grow in their heavenly vineyards and plantations, 
and what heavenly riches they have laid up in store in 
God's kingdom ; and to see how the wheat is gathered 
into God's garner ; and that all keep in the worship that 
Christ set up in his Spirit and Truth ; and that all walk 
in the new and living way, over all the dead ways in the 
world ; and that all walk in the pure, undefiled religion, 
that keeps from the spots of the world ; and to see that all 
are guided in the pure and gentle wisdom that is easy to 
be entreated, and in the love of God that can bear all 
things ; by which all peevish, short, and brittle spirits 
may be kept down ; so that all may have their good con- 

o 



290 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



versation in Christ Jesus, all striving for unity in the 
Spirit, and the holy faith, that giveth and keepeth victory 
over the enemy ; and so that all may have a care of their 
minds running into the earth and carnal things ; " for to 
be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded 
is life and peace and let all take heed of neglecting the 
gift of God, but stir up the pure mind one in another ; 
and the Lord, with his eternal arm and power, preserve 
you diligent in his heavenly work and service in his vine- 
yard, that it may not grow over with briars, thorns, and 
thistles, to choke the tender plants. 

And so my desires are, that you may live and walk in 
Christ Jesus, and that you may answer the Truth in all 
the professors, and the heathen ; and prize your liberty, 
both natural and spiritual, while you have it ; and labour 
in the Truth, while it is day. Bemember me to all 
Friends, as though I named them ; and as for the state of 
Friends here, we are under great sufferings, and spoiling 
of goods, and imprisonments ; and they have of late in- 
creased in spoiling of our goods ; but God is all-sufficient, 
who doth support us ; glory to his Name for ever. So, 
with my love in Christ Jesus, to you all, in whom you 
have all eternal rest and peace with God. Amen. 

G. F, 



NO. CCCCV. 

To Friends of the Ministry in Pennsylvania and New- 
Jersey. 

Dear Friends, Enfield, 30th of Fifth Month, 1685, 

With my love to you all, and all other Friends. I was 
glad to hear from you ; but you gave me no account of 
the increase of Truth amongst you, nor what meetings 



GEORGE FOX. 



291 



you have had amongst the Indian kings and their people 
abroad in the countries, and of your visiting Friends in 
New-England, Virginia, and Carolina, nor of your 
travels and labours in the Gospel ; though you have, in 
all those countries, liberty to serve and worship God, and 
preach the Truth. And I understand many have a de- 
sire to live in it, especially in Carolina ; and you who 
travel now to visit Friends in those provinces, it is thought 
strange that you do not visit them ; [those people who 
were seeking the Truth.] Therefore I desire that you 
may all improve your gifts and talents, and not hide 
them in a napkin, lest they be taken from you ; and not 
put your candle under a bushel, lest it go out ; and not 
be like the foolish virgins, which kept their name of 
virgins, but neglected having oil in their lamps : such 
were not diligent in the work of God, nor in the concerns 
of the Lord, nor in their own particulars. And there- 
fore my desires are, that you may all be diligent, serving 
the Lord and minding his glory, and the prosperity of his 
Truth, this little time you have to live ; and be not, 
like Adam, in the earth, but use this world as though you 
did not use it ; for they that covet after this world, fall 
into divers snares and hurtful lusts : and therefore con- 
sider, that you are but sojourners here, that you may pass 
your time in the fear of God ; and you being many, and 
having many of the Friends of the ministry going over 
into those parts, you may be a hindrance one unto another, 
if you [confine your visits to Friends, and] do not travel 
in the life of the universal Truth, that would have all 
men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the Truth : 
and if you would have them come to the knowledge of 
the Truth, let them know it, and where it is to be found. 
So I desire that you be valiant for it upon the earth, that 
you may give a good account unto God at the last with 



292 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



joy, I desire that all Friends in the ministry may see 
this in Pennsylvania and New-Jersey. 

My love to you all in the holy Seed of life that reigns 
over all, Amen. G. F. 

- — 

CCCCVI. 

To Friends in Wales. 

London, the 10th of the Seventh Month, 1685, 

Dear Friends and Brethren, 

In the Lord J esus Christ, whom he hath gathered by 
his glorious hand and power to himself, who is the rock 
of ages, and the foundation of many generations, that 
cannot be shaken, in which you have all life, peace, rest ? 
salvation, and eternal happiness. 

Your epistle, dated the 2nd of the Second Month, 
1685, by order of your Yearly Meeting, signed on behalf 
of that meeting, was received and publicly read in our 
Yearly Meeting, and well-accepted of in love and unity 
with the spirit that gave it forth : and Friends are very 
glad to hear, feel, and see your fellowship and unity in 
the Lord's blessed truth, and your communion in the 
Holy Ghost, and your care in the concerns of the holy, 
pure, and peaceable Truth, And now that you are and 
have been preserved over those unruly spirits, that have 
been as trees without fruit, and wells without water, in- 
wardly ravening wolves, that have got the form of godli- 
ness and the sheep's clothing, but are out of the spirit, 
and power, and life of the sheep of Christ, And over 
such spirits we praise God that he hath given you do- 
minion. 

And our desire is that you may all live and walk in 
Christ, and sit down in him, in his grace and truth ; and 



GEORGE FOX. 



293 



that you may answer the truth of God in all people with 
the word of life ; and also answer the good in all with a 
godly and a holy life and conversation. 

And likewise all the magistrates and officers that are in 
power, that you may answer the just principle in them 
all, and live in the spirit of supplication and pray for all, 
that you may lead a righteous and a godly life under 
them all. So that God, over all, and through you 
all, and by you all, may have the glory, the thanks, and 
the praise ; to whom all is due, God blessed for ever. 

Our Yearly Meeting was peaceable, and the Lord's 
glorious presence was among us, whose glory shines over 
all, God blessed and praised for ever. Amen. 

Now, all dear friends, you know your teacher and 
leader, Christ J esus, and you know him your high-priest, 
that is made higher than the heavens — by the power of an 
endless life ; by whom you are made a royal priesthood to 
offer up spiritual sacrifices to God by Jesus Christ. And 
you know there is no other way to God but by Jesus 
Christ ; and you know that God hath raised him up a 
prophet in the New Testament, who is to be heard in all 
things, who opens, and no man can shut ; and shuts and 
no man can open. And ye know that Christ is the 
bishop of your souls, to oversee you that you do not go 
astray from God. And you know that Christ is the true 
shepherd, and has laid down his life for his sheep, and is 
to be heard and followed ; and gives unto his sheep life 
eternal. And so abide in him who is your life eternal 
and everlasting, in whom you have peace with the ever- 
lasting God. Amen. 



o3 



294 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



NO. CCCCVII, 

To Friends in Dantzio. 

Bednal-Green, \lth of Ninth Month, 1685, 

Dear Friends, 

I am glad to hear of your welfare in the Lord : and ray 
desires are, that in the eternal power of God you may be 
valiant for his holy, pure Truth upon the earth, and his 
holy religion, that keeps from the spots of the world ; 
and the new and living way, Christ Jesus, will keep 
you out and over all dead ways that are in the world ; 
and in the worship of God in his Holy Spirit and pure 
Truth, which Christ Jesus set up above all the worships 
in the world. And all men and women must come to the 
Spirit of God in their hearts, if they serve and worship 
God that made them. 

And my desires are, that you may live in peace and 
love one with another, and in the pure, gentle wisdom of 
God, that is easy to be entreated. And let your faith 
stand in the power of God, and feel that in your hearts, 
which will keep you until the day of salvation. And let 
all your conversations be according to the glorious gospel 
of life and salvation ; so that you may come to answer 
the Truth in all people ; and in your words and actions 
you may preach truth, righteousness, virtue, pureness, 
godliness, and holiness ; without which none shall see the 
Lord. 

And now, friends, consider the Lord's great mercy and 
kindness towards you, who hath brought you through 
^great sufferings, tribulations, and persecutions, and that 
you have your meetings peaceable ; it is a great mercy of 
the Lord to you, for you to prize, and be faithful. 

So with my love to you all in the Lord Jesus Christ, 



GEORGE FOX. 



295 



that reigns over all ; in whom you have eternal rest and 
peace. Amen. 

And as for the affairs of Truth here, we are under great 
persecutions, imprisonments, and spoiling of goods ; but 
the Lord does support his people above them all. And 
of late the chief magistrates have showed some favour 
towards us. Gr. F. 
^ 

NO. CCCCX. 

An Epistle to them that are learned in Ch ut. 

1686. 

The Lord saith, " In this mountain shall the Lord of 
Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things,'' &c. 
And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the 
covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread 
over all nations. And he will swallow up death in vic- 
tory, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all 
faces." — Isaiah xxv. 6, 7 ; 1 Cor, xv. 24 ; Bev. xxi. 4. 

Is not this mountain, Christ, who filleth the whole 
earth ( Daniel ii. 35 — 45), where the feast of fat things is ? 
And doth not Christ, through death, destroy death and 
the devil, the power of death, and so take away the vail 
and covering that is spread over all nations, that they 
may be covered with the Spirit which he pours upon all 
flesh \ And the apostle says, Moses put a vail over his 
face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look 
to the end of that which is abolished for their minds were 
blinded : for until this day remaineth the same vail un- 
taken away in the reading of the Old Testament ; which 
vail is done away in Christ ; and when they shall turn to 
the Lord, the vail shall be done way. — 2 Cor. iii. 7, 18, 16. 

So here you may see the vail that was spread over all 
the hearts of people, is done away by Christ ; and all 



296 EPISTLES, &C. OF 

they that are turned to the Lord, with open face, behold 
as in a glass the glory of the Lord, and are changed into 
the same image as from glory to glory, even by the 
Spirit of the Lord. And the Lamb which is in the midst 
of the Throne, shall feed his people and dwell amongst 
them, who hath made their clothes white in the blood of 
the Lamb : and this is the day of Christ, whom God 
gives for a covenant of the people to establish the earth. 
Sing heavens, and rejoice earth, and break forth into 
singing mountains ; for God hath comforted his people, 
and hath had mercy upon his afflicted. And Christ saith 
to the prisoners, go forth ; unto them that are in dark- 
ness, show yourselves ; and they shall feed in pastures ; 
for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, and by 
the springs of water shall he guide them. — Isaiah xlix. 
For God gave Christ for a covenant to the people, for a 
light to the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes, to bring out 
the prisoners out of prison, and them that sit in darkness 
out of the prison houses. — Isaiah xlii. 2, 6, 7 ; It&b* vii. 
15—17. 

So we that do witness this, do praise the Lord God 
through Jesus Christ. Behold, the tabernacle of God is 
with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall 
be his people. — Mev. xxi. 3. This is the day of the new 
covenant, which people enjoy in Christ Jesus. 

The Lord saith, I will ransom them from the power of 
the grave, I will redeem them from death : death I 
will be thy plagues ; grave I will be thy destruction. — 
Rosea xiii. 14. 

And the apostle saith, death, where is thy sting I 
O grave, where is thy victory ? The sting of death is sin, 
and the strength of sin is the law ; but thanks be to 
God, which giveth us the victory through J esus Christ our 
Lord. — 1 Cor. xv. 55 — 57. So, here you may see the 



GEORGE FOX. 



297 



grave had its victory, and death hath its sting, which is 
sin. And the strength of sin is the law : but Christ gives 
us the victory, who makes an end of sin — the sting of 
death, as in Daniel ix. 44. And He through death de- 
stroys death and the power of death, and is the end of the 
law for righteousness' sake, to every one that believes ; 
and so they are dead to the law by the body of Christ. — 
Romans vii. 5. 

And Christ saith unto the Jews, Verily, verily, he 
that hears my words, and believeth on him that sent me, 
hath everlasting life, (mark, everlasting life) ; and shall 
not come into condemnation, but is passed from death 
unto life. Then they have passed from the sting of death, 
which is sin; and as John saith, we know that we 
are passed from death unto life, because we love the 
brethren ; for he that loveth not his brother, abideth in 
death. — John v. 24 ; 1 John iii. 14. So, if they were 
passed from death to life, then they w r ere passed from 
death, and his sting, which is sin, through Jesus Christ 
who destroys death, and makes an end of sin. 

And again Christ saith to the Jews, Verily, verily, I 
say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the 
dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they 
that hear shall live. — John v. 25. So that they passed 
from the death that came by Adam unto everlasting life 
in Christ Jesus. And so they thanked God, through 
Jesus Christ, who gave them the victory over death and 
sin, death's sting: so as it is written, " Death is swal- 
lowed up in victory." For Christ, as I said before, makes 
an end of sin, that is the sting of death, and through 
death destroys death, and the devil, the power of death. 
So thanks be to God, through and by Christ Jesus, we 
have the victory unto everlasting life, over the grave, 
death, and its sting. 



298 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



And the apostle saith, " Flesh and blood cannot in- 
herit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit 
incorruption." And Christ saith, " Except a man be 
born of the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God," 
neither can he " enter the kingdom of God." — 1 Cor. xv. 
50, and John iii. 3, 5. 

And Christ saith, " He that heareth my word and be- 
lieveth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and 
shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from 
death to life.*" — John v. 21. And he that believeth not, 
is condemned already. And he that believeth on the Son 
of God shall not perish, but have eternal life. And again, 
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten 
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, 
but have everlasting life. — John iii. 15, 16, 18. 

Now this death which Adam fell into, was a spiritual 
death ; for by one man's disobedience or offence, namely, 
Adam's, judgment came upon all men to condemnation. 
So all men are under this judgment and condemnation 
on Adam in the Fall. Even so, by the righteousness of 
one, namely, Christ, the free gift came upon all men unto 
justification of life. — Romans v. 18, 19. 

So they that do not believe in Christ, the light, as he 
commands : John xii. 36 ; they abide in spiritual death 
and darkness, and under the judgment and condemna- 
tion of Adam in the fall, in the perishing state : but he 
that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life, 
and passeth from death unto life, and shall not perish in 
darkness, and is not condemned, but comes out of con- 
demnation, &c. But he that believeth not the Son of 
God is condemned, and shall not see life, and the wrath 
of God abideth on him. Such abide in the perishing 
state, in death and darkness, in Adam in the fall, under 
judgment and condemnation. But they that believe in 



GEORGE FOX. 



299 



Christ, the light, do come out of darkness, and pass from 
death to life ; and come from under judgment and con- 
demnation, into favour with God, and into eternal and 
everlasting life in Christ Jesus, and so have victory over 
death, darkness, and sin, its sting, and the perishing state, 
and the grave of Adam, in the fall from life eternal ; and 
so are blessed, having part in the first resurrection in 
Christ Jesus: on such the second death shall have no 
power, for they are in Christ J esus, the resurrection, and 
eternal everlasting life, and their names are written in 
the Lamb's book of life, who destroys death and hell 
and the devil, the power of death. — Rev. xx. 10, 14, 15. 
And casts the devil, death and hell, into the lake of fire, 
that burns with brimstone ; which is the second death. 

And as the apostle saith, " The last enemy that shall 
be destroyed is death." " Death is swallowed up in 
victory." For by man, namely Adam, came death ; and 
by man, namely Christ, came the resurrection of the 
dead ; for as in Adam all died, even so in Christ, shall 
all be made alive. 

So as by one man, Adam* sin and death came over 
all ; so by the man Christ, life cometh over all. And by 
nature we are born of Adam ; and in Christ we are made 
the children of God by grace in Christ, and quickened 
and made alive, and restored to life everlasting by him. 
And Christ, who puts all things under his feet, he sub- 
dues death under Him ; who through death, destroys 
death, the last enemy, and the devil, the power of death ; 
and so makes an end of sin, the sting of death, and brings 
in everlasting righteousness. 



soo 



EPISTLES j &C. OF 



NO. CCCCXII. 

To Friends in West Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

Edmonton, 27th of the Eleventh Month, 1687. 

Dear Friends, 

I am glad to hear that the concerns of Truth are so 
well as they are with you, and that you have set up your 
Half-year's Meetings, which may be of great service. 

And all that are faithful in your country, being kept 
in the Lord's eternal power, in it keep up all your men 
and women's meetings, that the power of the Lord God 
may spread over all, and by it all deceit and looseness 
may be kept under ; and this will ease all the magistrates, 
and tLeir courts, of all evil and looseness, by having it 
stopped and killed in the birth, before it comes in to 
action ; and see in your meetings, that Friends give no 
occasion [of offence] to the Indians. 

And if sometimes vou should have some meetings 
with the Indian kings and their councils, to let them 
know the principles of Truth ; so that they may know 
the way of salvation, and the nature of true Christianity, 
and how that Christ hath died for them, who " tasted 
death for every man (and so the gospel of salvation 
must be preached to every creature under heaven) ; and 
how that Christ hath enlightened them, who enlightens 
all that come into the world. And God hath poured out 
his Spirit upon all flesh ; and so the Indians must receive 
God's Spirit ; for " the grace of God which brings salva- 
tion hath appeared to all men. 5 ' And so let them know, 
that they have a day of salvation, grace, and favour of 
God offered unto them ; if they will receive it, it will be 
their blessing. 

And so, now, you that are settled in those parts, who 



GEORGE FOX. 



301 



have had a testimony from the Lord, to bear to people of 
the Truth, you should spread abroad God's eternal Truth ; 
and have meetings, as I said before, with the Indian kings 
and people ; so that all the earth may come to look unto 
the Lord for salvation. For if ye should settle down in 
the earth, and have plenty, and be full, and at ease for a 
time, and not keep in the power, and service, and Spirit 
of God, you would quickly come to lose your condition, 
as some did in Rhode-Island, when settled down in the 
earth, after a while, and then turned to jangling about it, 
and some ran out one way, and some another. 

And therefore I desire that the Lord may grant, that 
you may be all kept and preserved by his holy power, on 
his holy mountain, that ye may be of the holy camp of 
God ; that with his power, light, Spirit, grace, and a ruth, 
all that is contrary may be kept out from among you ; so 
that the Lord God Almighty, and his Son, may walk in 
the midst of you, and may delight to do you good. So 
with my love to all faithful friends. 

My desire is, that you all may keep in the power and 
Spirit of the Lord, in the heavenly unity, that you may 
all shine forth to his glory and praise, to whom all be- 
longs, God over all, blessed for ever. Amen. 

G : F. 

♦ 

NO. CCCCX1V. 

Gooses, in Essex, the ISth of the Twelfth Month, 1(338. 

All my dear friends and brethren in the Lord Jesus 
Christ, who by his eternal arm and power, hath sup- 
ported, upheld and preserved you stedfast to himself; so 
that neither reproaches, imprisonments, nor spoiling of 
your goods, to the almost ruining you outwardly; and 



302 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



besides long and tedious imprisoning of you and many to 
death : and yet all these persecutors could not make you 
turn from Christ, your life, priest, bishop, and shepherd, 
and through him you have been made more than con- 
querors : and so live and walk in him, who is the same 
to-day, yesterday, and for ever, who doth overcome and 
will have the victory, in whom you have life and salvation 
and peace with God. 

So no more, but my love. GL F. 

NO. CCCCXVII. 

London, 27th of Third Month, 1689, 

Dear Friends and Brethren in Christ Jesus, whom the 
Lord, by his eternal arm and power hath preserved to 
this day ; all walk in the power and Spirit of God, which 
is over all, in love and unity : for love never fails, but 
keeps the mind above all outward things, or strife about 
outward things ; and it is that which overcomes evil, and 
casts out all false fears, and it is of God, and unites all 
the hearts of his people together, in the heavenly joy, 
concord and unity. And the God of love preserve you 
all, and settle and establish you in Christ Jesus, your 
life and salvation, in whom you all have peace with God. 
And so, walk in Him, that you may be ordered in his 
peaceable heavenly wisdom to the glory of God, and the 
comfort one of another. G. F. 

NO. CCCCXVII! . 

To the Six Weeks' Meeting in London. 

Kingston-apon-Thames, 5th of Third Month, 1690, 
Let all your meetings be preserved by the wisdom of 
God in the unity of the Spirit, the bond of peace, and in 



GEORGE FOX. 



303 



the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, that, being ordered by 
the pure, gentle, heavenly, peaceable wisdom, easy to be 
entreated, they may be holy and virtuous examples to all 
other meetings, both in city and country. Let all be 
careful to speak shortly and pertinently to matters, in a 
Christian spirit, and dispatch business quickly, and keep 
out of long debates and heats ; and with the Spirit of 
God keep that down, which is doating about questions 
and strife of words, that tend to parties and contention. 
In the church of God there is no such custom to be 
allowed. And let not more than one speak at a time ; 
nor any in a fierce way ; for that is not to be allowed 
in any society, either natural or spiritual ; but, as the 
apostle saith, " be swift to hear, and slow to speak ; and 
let it be in the grace which seasons all words. " And if 
there be any differences, that cannot be quickly ended in 
the meeting, let the Six weeks' Meeting order some Friends 
to hear the matter out of the meeting, without respect of 
persons, and bring in the report to the same meeting the 
same day, if possible, and the meeting may give judgment ; 
that no business be delayed from time to time. And so 
my love to you all in the Seed of Life, Christ Jesus, in 
whom ye have all peace and wisdom, from Him who is 
the treasure of knowledge and wisdom. Amen. 

G. F. 

NO. CCCCXIX. 

♦ : 

London, Uh of Fourth Month, 1690. 

Dear Friends, 

Something was upon me to write unto you, respecting 
some among Friends, who marry, and provide great 
dinners ; that instead thereof, they may be put in mind, 
at such times, to give something to the poor that are 
widows and fatherless, and such like, to make them a 



304 



EPISTLES. &<p. OF 



feast, or to refresh them : and this, I look upon, would 
be a very good savour, to feast the poor that cannot feast 
you again ; and would be a good practice and example, 
and would be a means to keep the mind to the Lord, and 
in remembrance of the poor ; for " they that give to the 
poor, lend to the Lord, and the Lord will repay them.'" 
And I do really believe, whatever they give, less or more, 
according to their ability, cheerfully, they will not have 
the less at the year's end ; for the Lord loves a cheerful 
giver. I know T this practice hath been used by some 
twenty years ago ; not only to give the poor a little 
victuals, which you cannot eat yourselves, but to give 
them a little money, that the Lord hath blessed you with ; 
and give it to some of the women's meetings for to dis- 
tribute to the poor : so you will have the blessings of the 
Lord, and the blessings of the poor ; and so be of a free 
noble spirit, above all the churlish misers and niggards, 
and narrow spirits, 

These things I do recommend to you (though it may 
look a little strange) to weigh and consider the thing ; 
it will be of a good report, and manifest a self-denial and 
openness of heart, and of the general love of God. 

G. F 

+ 

NO. CCCCXX. 

To Captive Friends at Marqueness* 

London, 25th of Eighth Month, 1690, 

Dear Friends, 

With my love to you all in the Lord Jesus Christ, in 
whom you have life and salvation, and rest and peace 
with God : and the Lord God Almighty, with his eternal 
arm and power, uphold and preserve you in Christ, in 
* On the Coast of Barbarv. 



GEORGE FOX. 



305 



whom you have rest and peace, though in the world 
troubles; and though you be in captivity, from your 
wives and children, and relations and friends, yet the 
Lord is present with you by his Spirit of grace, light, and 
truth. And so feel Him at all times, and stand in his 
will ; do not murmur nor complain, but stand still in the 
faith and power of God, that you may see your salvation : 
for by faith the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt 
by his power ; and by faith Enoch and Noah were pre- 
served, and Abraham, Isaac, and J acob ; and by faith 
the prophets were delivered out of many perils ; and 
Daniel out of the lion's mouth. And you may see how 
the righteous were delivered by faith, in Hebrews xi. 

And it would be very well, if you that be captives and 
friends, could have meetings as they had at Algiers, to 
the comforting and refreshing of one another. And you 
may speak to your patroons of your meeting together to 
worship God, that created heaven and earth, and made 
all mankind, and gives you breath, life, and spirit, to 
serve and worship Him. 

And my desires are to the Lord, that you in his truth 
and power may answer the Truth in all, both king 
and prince, and Turks and Moors, that you may be a 
good savour among them all, in them all ; manifest- 
ing that ye are the salt of the earth, and the light of the 
world, and a city set on a hill, that cannot be hid ; so 
that they may see your good w T orks, and glorify your 
Father which is in heaven. 

And what do you know, but that the Lord hath set 
you there to preach in life, and word, and good conversa- 
tion? Therefore, while you are there, mind your service 
for God, who hath all things in his hand, and a sparrow 
cannot fall to the ground without his providence. And 
Christ is the mountain that filleth the whole earth; 
and so you will feel Him there. 



306 



EPISTLES, &C. OF 



And therefore keep in the word of power, and in the 
word of patience, and the word of wisdom, that will give 
you dominion over all. Amen. 

G. F. 

P. S.- — You may petition the Emperor, or King, and 
your patroons, whose captives you are, that you may have 
one day in the week to meet together to worship and 
serve the great God that made you, in spirit and truth, 
For you worship no representation, image, or likeness, 
neither in heaven nor in the earth, but the great God, 
who is Lord over all, both in heaven and earth; and 
is manifest by his Spirit in his people ; from you, poor 
captives, who desire their good here, and their eternal 
happiness hereafter. 

And you may draw up a paper to this effect, and get it 
translated into their language, and send it to the Emperor 
and his Council, and your patroons ; and set your hands 
to it with all speed, after the receipt of this. 

G« F 



Richard Barrett, Jun., Printer, 13, Mark Lane, London, 



8 
7(>t 



